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THE
W OUKS
OF
JOHN WITHERSPOON, D.D.
SOMETIME MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT PAISLEY, AND LATE
PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON COLLEGE, NEW JERSEY.
CONTAINING
ESSAYS, SERMONS, &c.
ON
IMPORTANT SUBJECTS;
INTENDED TO ILLUSTRATE AND ESTABLISH THE DOCTRINE OP
SALVATION BY GRACE, AND TO POINT OUT ITS
INFLUENCE ON HOLINESS OF LIFE.
TOGETHER WITH HIS
LECTURES ON MORAL PHILOSOPHY,
ELOQUENCE AND DIVINITY ;
HIS SPEECHES IN THE AMERICAN CONGRESS;
AND MANY OTHER VALUABLE PIECES, NEVER BEFORE
PUBLISHED IN THIS COUNTRY.
VOL. VI.
EDINBURGH:
J-RINTED FOR OGLE & AIRMAN ; J. PILLANS & SONS ;
J. RITCHIE; AND J. TURNBVLL.
ISOo.
• "COf.Lv NOV. •
John Tvrwbuix, Printer.
ESSAYS
ON
IMPORTANT SUBJECTS.
CONTENTS
OF
VOLUME VI.
Page
An Addrefs to the Students of the Senior
Clafs, 9
A Serious Inquiry into the Nature and Effe£ts
of the Stage, - - - 34
A Letter refpe£ting Play- Actors, - 129
Ecclefiaftical Chara£teriftics, or the Arcana of
Chufch Policy. Being an Humble Attempt
to open the Myftery of Moderation. Where-
in is fhewn, A plain way of attaining to the
character of a Moderate man, as at prefent
in repute in the Church of Scotland, 139
Dedicated to the Departed Ghoft, or Surviving
Spirit, of the Rev. Mr in , 141
The Preface, - - - 14^
Introduction to the Ecclefiaftical Chara£teriftics,i53
Maxim L
All ecclefiaftical perfons, of whatever rank,
whether principals of colleges, profeflbrs of
divinity, miniiters, or even probationers, that
are fufpected of hercfy, are to be eiteemed
VI CONT>EN T S.
Page
men of great genius, vaft learning, and un-
common worth ; and are by all means, to
be fupported and protected, - 155
Maxim II.
WJien any man is charged with loofe prac-
tices, or tendencies to immorality, he is to
be fcreened and protected as much as pofli-
ble; efpecially if the faults laid to his charge
be as they are incomparably well termed, in
a fermon, preached by a hopeful youth,
that made fome noife lately, goccd humoured
vicesy - • - - - 159
Maxim III.
It is a neceflary part of the character of a mo-
derate man, never to fpeak of the Confeffioa
of Faith, but with a fneer ; to give fly hints,
that he does not thoroughly believe it; and
to make the word ortboJexfr a term of con-
tempt and reproach, - - 162
Maxim IV.
A good preacher mud not only have all the
above and fubfequent principles of modera-
tion in him, as the fource of every thing that
is good; but muft, over and above, have
the following fpecial marks and figns of a
talent for pleaching I. Hi fubje&s muft
be confined to focial dutieb. He muft re-
commend them only from rational confi-
der viz. the beauty and comely pro-
portions of virtue, and rrs advantages i • the
prefent life, without 0 a future
CONTENTS.
Page
ftate of more extended felf-iniercft. 3. His
authorities muii be drawn from heathen-
vriters, none% or as few as poinble, from
Scripture. 4. He muft be very unaccept-
able to the common people, - 166
Maxim V.
A mini Peer muft endeavour to acquire as great
a degree of politenefs, in his carriage and be-
haviour, and to catch a5 much of the air and
tiner of a fine gentleman, as poffibly he
can, - - - - 17;
fjut VL
It is not only armeceflaty for a moderate man
to have much learning, but he ought to be
filled with a contempt of all kinds of learn-
ing but one; v lerftand Leibnitz's
Scheme well ; the chief parts of which are io
beautifully painted, fo harmonioufly
fang by Lord Shaft efoury, ai
to form and method by
. Mr H n, - 180
r VII
A r endeayour, as much ns
he to rut oiV a: >ar-
"iry
exercifes of religious worfhip, r pub-
lic cr private. -
Maxim V1IL
In church-fettler. . •' \ princi]
caufes that come before minifters for judg-
viii CONTENTS.
Page
ment, the only thing to be regarded is, who
the patron and the great and noble heritors
are for; the inclinations of the common peo-
ple are to be utterly defpifi - ipo
Maxim IX.
While a fettlement is carrying on, the candidate
againft whom there is a ftrong oppofitionfrom
the people, mult be looked upon, and every
where declared to be, a p erf on of great worth,
and remarkable abilities ; provided always,
that if erer the fame perfon, after he is fet-
tled, be at pains, and fucceed in gaining the
people's affedion, he (hall then fall as much
below the ordinary ftandard in his character,
as before he was raifed above it, - 194
Maxim X.
Whenever we have got a fettlement decided
over the belly of the whole people in the pa-
rish, by ajinajority in the General Aflembly,
the vivStoi-y mould be improved, by appoint-
ing fome of the orthodox oppofers of the fet-
tlement to execute it, efpecially thofe of them
that pretend to have a fcruple of confcicnce
at having an a£live hand in any fuch fettle-
ment, - - - - 197
Maxim XL
The character which moderate men give their
adverfaries, of the orthodox party, rauft al-
ways be that of knaves or fools; and, as oca*-
CONTENTS, IX
Page
fion ferves, the fame perfon (if it will pafs)
may be reprefented as a Inave at one time,
and as zfocl at another. - - 208
M XIL
As to the world in general, a moderate man is
to have great chanty for Atheifts ;.nd Deiffs
in principle, and for perfons that are loofe
and vicious in their practice: but none at all
for thofe that have a high profefiion cf reli-
gion, and a great pretence to ftriftnefs in
their walk and conversation, - 2t$
Maxim XIII.
All moderate men are joined together in the
drifted bond of union, and do never fail to
fupport and defend one another to theutmoft,
be the caufe they are engaged in what it
witf, - - - - 215
A Serious Apology for the Ecclefraftical Cha-
rafteriflics, 223
To the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland, 225
The Hiftory of a Corporation of Servants, dif-
covered a few years .ago in the interior parts
of South America ; containing fome very
furprifing events and extraordinary charac-
ters, - - ■ 285
Advcrtifement, - 286
Chap. I.
Of the Original State of the Servants, and their
erection into a Corporation, - 293
a CONTENTS.
Chap. II.
Of the Effects produced by thefc Rer. 298
Chap. III.
Continues the fame Subject* And particularly
gives an account of a very remarkable f]
taken by the Servants, - - 303
u>. IV.
A terrible Blow given to of the
Servants ; and particularly to the Power of
the Emperor, - - - 310
Chap. V.
Some Account of the Reformed Eitublifliment,
in a Noithern Province; and the happy ef-
fects that followed upon it for a time. It
begins, however, again to degenerate, 314
Chap. VI.
Of the great impropriety often feen in the ap-
pointment of fervants ; and the fentimc
of the inhabitants on that fubject, - 318
Chap. VII.
Great partiality in the trial of Servants, and
uncertainty in the characters given of them, 325
Chap. VIII.
Servants of different characters. A fketch of
the good and bad. The inveterate hatred
of the bad againft the good, - 329
Chap. IX.
The carelefsnefs of Servants in their work.
A curious debate in a certain family, which
ifTued in nothing, - - - 336
CONTENTS. XI
Page
Chap. X.
Of the ambition and coveteoufnefs of the Ser-
vants, and the various methods they fell
upon to gratify their defires, - 341
Chap. XI.
Of the fentiments of the People concerning' the
Servants, and their manner of treating them, 344
CHAr. XII.
Continuation of the fame fubje£t. The fenti-
ments and conduct cf others, in confequence
of the behaviour of the Servants, - 348
Conclusion. - - i 352
AN
ADDRESS
TO THE
STUDENTS of the SENIOR CLASS,
AT PRINCETON COLLEGE,
September 23, 1775,
Who iv ere to receive the degree cf BACHELOR of 'ARTS*
Gentlemen,
AS you have now finifhed the ufual courfe of
ftudy in this place, and are to enter upon
public life in a variety of ways, as each (hall be
determined by inclination or other circumflances,
I willingly embrace the opportunity of addrefling
an exhortation to you, at this important and inte-
reding period of your lives. I do not mean to fay
much, if any thing, that you have never heard be-
fore, but to lay hold of your prefent fituation,
with fome hope, that what, may be faid now, will
remain upon your memory, and have an influence
upon your future conduct. That I may fpeak with
the greater clearnefs and precifion, I will divide
what I have to fay, into three branches. — I. Your
duty to God, and the intereft of your fouls.
II. The profecution of your lludics, or the im-
provement of your talents, as members of fociety.
III. Prudence in your commerce with the world i;i
Vol. VI. li
10 AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS
neralj your outward provifion, and other cir-
cumltances in life.
I. As to the firft of thefe, it is to all men of the
greateft moment. Some of you, I know, and
more, I hope, are intended for the fcrvice of Chrift
in the miniftry. To this we have the univerfal
Suffrage, that true religion is absolutely neceflary,
with which I heartily agree. But I wifh thofe who
are deftined for other employments, may not fome-
times make a comparison here, unjuft in itfelf, and
dangerous, perhaps even ruinous, to their own
fouls. Becaufe true religion is neceflary to a mi-
nifter, and they are confcious to themfelves, or at
lead fufpeft, that they are without religion ; in-
ftead of laying to heart the things that belong to
their peace, they only determine that they will fol-
low forne other calling. But, alas ! though the
difference to the public is very great, the difference
to the perfons themfelves, feems to me but very
(mail. A clergyman without religion, to be fure
is a dreadful character, and when vifible, a detefta-
ble one ; but truly, one would think, at the clofe
of life, it will be but little comfort to a man, that
he mull go to the place of torment, not as a mi-
nifter, but as a lawyer, phyfician, foldier, or mer-
chant. Therefore fuller me to fay to you, and to
all who now hear me, that the care of your
fouls is the one thing needful. All mankind,
of every rank, denomination and profeflion, are
fmners by nature. The miniflers of the New
Teftament have received a commiflion to preach
the gofpel to every creature : " He that believeth
OF THE SENIOR CLASS. >I
(hall be faved, and he that believeth not fhall be
damned."
While I fay this, I beg of you to confider that
the advantages which you have enjoyed, will be an
aggravation of your guilt, if they are unimproved.
There is an equity as well as wifdom often to be
obferved in the providence of God. Unlefs reafons
of fovereignty, that is, reafons unknown to us, pre-
vent it, judgment will be infli&ed, when a perfon
or people is ripe for the ftroke. Therefore, as
fome plants and feeds, both from their own nature,
and from the foil and fituation in which they are
placed, ripen fooner than others, fo fome perfons,
by the early pains taken upon them, and the privi-
leges they have enjoyed, fill up the meafure o£
their iniquities fooner than others, and are more
fpeedily overtaken with deferved vengeance. There
are many common fayings that are the effedts of
error and prejudice \ for example, that which you
will be told by many, that the children of good
men are as bad as any. If this is intended to in-
(inuate that a regular and pious education affords
no ground to hope for good behaviour in after life,
it is at once contrary to reafon and experience.
But if we fhould fay that when young perfons,
pioufly educated, buril reflraining bonds afunder,
and are feduced into vicious courfes, they common-
ly run fafter and farther than others, it is a certain
fact, which may be eafily accounted for, and affords
an important inftru&ion to all.
After intreating you to lay religion to heart, I
mud befeech you to guard againft being too eafily
fatisfied in a matter of infinite moment. Do not
B2
12
AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS
think it enough to be prudent, cautious, or decent
in your conduct, or to attain a character formed
upon worldly principles, and governed by worldly
motives. I am not againft (as you all know) in-
troducing every argument againft fin, and fhewing
you that loofe practices are ruinous to name, body
and eflate. Neither is it wrong that you fliould
fortify every pious refolution by the addition of
thefe motives. But alas ! the evil lies deeper.
" Except a man be born again, he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God." True religion muft
arife from a clear and deep conviction of your loft
ftate by nature and practice, and an unfeigned re-
liance on the pardoning mercy and fanctifying grace
of God.
Suffer me, upon this fubject, earneftly to recom-
mend to all that fear God, to apply themfelves
from their earlieft youth, to the exercifes of piety,
a life of prayer and communion with God. This
is the fource from which a real Chriftian muft
derive the fecret comfort of his heart, and which
alone will give beauty, confiftency, and uniformity,
to an exemplary life. The reafon why I have
mentioned it on this occafion is, that youth, when
the fpirits are lively and the affections vigorous and
ftrong, is the feafon when this habit muft be form-
ed. There are advantages and difadvantagcs at-
tending every ftage of life. An aged Chriftian
will naturally grow in prudence, vigilance, ufeful-
nefs, attention to the courfe of providence, and fub-
jection to the divine will, but will feldom attain to
greater fervor of affection, and life in divine wor-
fliip, than he had been accuftomed to from his
OF THE SENIOR CLASS* 13
early years. On the contrary, he will generally fee
it neceflary indead of trufting to occafional im-
pulses, to guard and ftrengthen the habit by order
and form.
Be companions of them that fear God. Efteem
them always mod highly, and fhun, as a contagious
peftilence, the fociety not only of loofe perfons,
but of thofe efpecially whom you perceive to be in-
fected with the principles of infidelity, or enemies
to the power of religion. — Many of thefe are much
more dangerous to pious perfons than open pro-
fligates. As for thefe lad, decency is againft them;
the world itfelf condemns them ; reafon defpiL-
them, and prudence fliuns them. He mull have a
very mean tade indeed, who is capable of finding
pleafure in diforder and riot. If I had no higher
pleafure on earth than in eating and drinking, I
would not choofe to eat and drink with the drunken.
Order, neatnefs, elegance, and even moderation it-
felf, are neceflary to exalt and refine the pleafures
of a fenfual life. Therefore I will not allow my-
felf to fuppofe, that I fhall afterwards hear of any
of you roaring and fwearing in taverns, or wafting
your bodies and eftates by lewdnefs and debauchery,
or that you take pleafure in thofe who do fo. But
be efpecially careful to avoid thofe who are enemies
to vital piety, who do not pretend to fpeak dire£lly
againft religion, but give every vile name they can
think of to all who feem to be in earned on that
fubjeft, and vilify the exercifes of religion, under
the names of whining, cant, grimace, and hypocri-
fy. Thefe are often unhappily fuccefsful in mak-
ing fome uncautious perfons afhamed of their Re-
»3
14
AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS
deemer's name, his truths, his laws, his people, and
his crofs.
I need hardly obferve, that this is not to be un-
derflood as recommending pharifaical pride and fu-
percilioufnefs •, far lefs a ram and prefumptuous
judging of the ftate of others. It is not only law-
ful, but our duty, to have a free communication
with our fellow-citizens, for the purpofes of focial
life : it is not only lawful, but our duty to be
courteous, and to give every proper evidence of re-
fpe£t and attention to others, according to their
rank and place in fociety. What I mean to caution
you againft is, an unneceflary, voluntary intercourse,
iuch as has inclination for its motive, and pleafure
for its objeft. With refpeck to this, we need not
hefitate to fay, with the infpired prophet, " He that
walketh with wife men (hall be wife, but a com-
panion of fools mail be deftroyed."
II. I come now to fpeak a little upon the profecu-
tion of your fludies, and the improvement of your
talents. Tour education in a feminary of learning,
is only intended to give you the elements and firft
principles of fcience, which fliould whet your ap-
petite for more, and which will enable you to pro-
ceed with an aflured hope of fuccefs. It hath been
generally a favourite point with me, to recommend
the union of piety and literature, and to guard young
perfons againft the oppofite extremes. We fee
fometimes the pride of unfancUfied knowledge do
great injury to religion j and on the other hand, we
find fome perfons of real piety, defpifiwg human
THE SEXrOR CLASS. 1 5
learning, and difgracing the moft glorious truths, by
a meannefs and indecency, hardly fufferable, in their
manner of handling them. On this account, induf-
try and application to ftudy, is of the utmoft im-
portance to thofe who are intended for the office of
the miniftry.
But I have it further in view, to recommend to
you all, without exception, a life of diligence and
application. Avoid floth, as a dangerous enemy.
Fear it, hate it, and defpife it. It is a common
laying, that men do not know their own weaknefs ;
but it is as true, and a truth more important, that
they do not know their own flrength. I defive that
vou will receive the following information from me,
which I dare fay, every perfon of judgment and ex-
perience will confirm, that multitudes of moderate
capacity have been ufeful in their generation, re-
fpecied by the public, and fuccefsful in life, while
thofe of fuperior talents from nature, by mere floth-
fulnefs and idle habits, or felf-indulgence, have li-
ved ufelefs, and died contemptible. There is alfo a
difpofition in young people, which you know I have
often fet myfelf to oppofe, to think that loofe, irre-
gular fallies, and fometimes even vicious liberties,
are a fign of fpirit and capacity. The very contrary
is the truth. It requires no genius at all to do mif-
chief. Perfons of the greateft ability have generally
been lovers of order. Neither is there any inftance
to be found, of a man's arriving at great reputation
or ufefulnefs, be his capacity what it might, with-
out induftry and application.
Suffer me here, in a particular manner, to recom-
1 6 AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS
mend to you a firmnefs of mind, and fleady perfe-
verance, as of the utmofl moment to your progrefs
and fuccefs. Whatever a man's talents from nature
may be, if he apply himfelf to what is not altoge-
ther unfuitable to them, and holds on with fteadinefs
and uniformity, he will be ufeful and happy •, but
if he be loofe and volatile, impatient of the flownefs
of things in their ufual courfe, and fhifting from
projedt to projeft, he will probably be neither the
one nor the other.
I am fomewhat at a lofs what to fay, as to charac*
ter and reputation ; yet it is fo important a point
that it muft not be omitted. True religion fhould
furnifh you with a higher and nobler principle to
govern your condudt, than the defire of applaufe
from men. Yet, in fubordination to what ought to
be the great purpofe of life, the approbation of the
great Judge, there is a jufl and laudable ambition to
do what is praife-worthy among men. This ought
not to be extinguifhed in the minds of youth \ be-
ing a powerful fpur and incitement to virtuous or
illuftrious aftions. A truly good man will feek no-
praife but by honeft means, and will be fuperior
even to difgrace itfelf, if brought upon him by ad-
herence to his duty. Yet he will alfo be tender and
careful, not to give juft caufe to any to impeach his
conduft. If I might be permitted to direft your
views upon this fubjeft, I would fay, confider that
your character is already beginning to form. Every
ftep you take further in life, will both afcertain and
fpread it. You ought alfo to be informed, that
notwithftanding all the hackneyed complaints of the
OF THE SENIOR CLA9S. 1 7
partiality and cenforioufnefs of the world, a man's
real chara&er, in point of ability, is never miftaken,
and but feldom in point of morals. That there are
many malicious and cenforious perfons, I agree: but
lies are not half fo durable as truth. There is an
impartiality in a diffufive public, which will fliew
itfelf where means of information are afforded to it.
Therefore reverence the judgment of mankind with-
out idolizing it. Be as cautious as poffible to do
nothing that deferves cmfure, and as little concern-
ed as poffible what reproaches may fall upon you
undeferved. It is not a contradiction, but perfect-
ly confident to fay, a man fhould be tender and even
jealous of his charadter, and yet not greedy of praife.
There is an amiablenefs and dignity in the firft, but
a meannefs and littlenefs in the laft.
Another advice, near a-kin to the laft, is, do as
much- as you can to deferve praife, and yet avoid as
much as poffible the hearing of it. This is but an-
other view of the fame fubject; and that it may be
the more ufeful, and my intention in it the more
manifeft, I will extend it both to praife and dif-
praife. When you come into public life, and be-
come the objects of general attention, not only
guard againft fifhing for applaufe, and being in-
quifitive after what people think or fay of you, but
avoid knowing it as much as you decently can.
My reafon for this is, that whether you will or not,
you will hear as much of the flanders of your ene-
mies as you will bear with patience, and as much
of the flattery of your friends, or interefted perfons,
as you will bear with humility. Therefore, pre-
pare yourfelf for both, but feek for neither. Seve-
I 8 AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS
ral eminent authors, as you doubtlefs know, hare
given it as an advice to young clergymen, and other
public fpeakers, to get a friend who is a good judge,
and intreat him to make remarks upon their com-
pofition, carriage, delivery, &c. with fidelity. I
have nothing to fay againft the goodnefs of the
advice in itfelf, but at the fame time, I have no
great convi&ion of the neceflity or even the utility
of it. It is very feldom that advice is afked in this
manner, but with a view to obtain a compliment;
and ftill feldomer that it is given with fufficient
freedom and impartiality. If any man has humility
and felf-denial enough to wifh to know his own
faults, there will be little difficulty in difcovering
them. Or if we could fuppofe, there were dif-
ficulty to himfelf, his enemies or rivals, or talkative
people, though they be neither the one nor the other,
will fupply the defeft. Perhaps you will think,
that in the ftriftures of malice and envy, there is
generally an acrimony that has no great tendency
to reform; like a rufly knife, which makes a very
painful wound, though not very deep. I agree to
this fully, and yet affirm, that there is fo much the
more virtue, fo much the more wifdom, and per-
haps I may add, fo much the more pleafure, in
making this ufe of them
I conclude this part of my fubje&, with advi-
fing you to maintain a friendfhip with one another,
and to carry the intimacies of early life through
the whole of it. To this I add, that you ought to
defire and cultivate the correfpondence of men of
piety and learning. Man, made for fociety, derives
his chief advantages of every kind, from the united
OF THE SENIOR CLASS. 1 $
efforts of many confpiring to the fame end. — As to '
piety, nothing is more eiTential to it, than focial
communication. It properly confifts in the fu-
preme love of God, and fervent charity to all men.
The Chriftian alio hath need of the afliftance of
others in his pafiage through this world, where he
has fo much oppofition to encounter, Thofe who
deferve this character, are faid to be pilgrims and
ftrangers in the earth. Therefore they ought to
keep together, left they lofe their way. They
comfort each other in diftrefs, they aflift each other
in doubts and difficulty, they embolden each other
by their example, and they affift each other by their
prayers.
This is no lefs the cafe in refpect to literature.
It has been obferved, that great and eminent men
have generally, in every nation, appeared in clufters.
The reafon of this probably is, that their fociety
and mutual intercourfe greatly adds to their im-
provement, and gives force and vigor to the talents
which they may feverally poflefs. Nothing is fo
powerful an incitement to diligence, or fo kindles
the beft fort of ambition, as the friendfhip, advice,
and afliftance of men of learning and worth. The
approbation of one fuch, is of more value to a noble
mind, than peals of applaufe from an undiicerning
multitude. Befides, the afliftance which men of
letters give to each other, is really neceflary in the
execution of particular works of great compafs and
utility. If it is by the labours of preceding ages,
that it is now poflible in one life to attain to fuch
a degree of knowledge as we have fometimes feen,
fo it is by the concurrence of many friends lending
fiO AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS
their afTiilance, that one man has been fometimes
able to prefent to the public, a fyflem of fcience,
which, without that aid, he alone would have in
n attempted to bring to perfection. There is no
circumflance which throws this new country fo far
back in point of fcience, as the want of public li-
braries, where thorough refearches might be made,
and the fmall number of learned men to affift in
making refearches practicable, eafy or complete.
III. The laft head on which I promifed to give
you my advice, was prudence in your communica-
tion with the world in general, your outward prc-
vifion and other circumflances that conduce to the
happinefs and comfort of life. On this fubjeft, I
begin with what I have often recommended to you,
frugality in the management of your affairs, order
and exaftnefs in your drefs, furniture, books, and
keeping of accounts. Nothing could be further
from my mind than to recommend the temper or
conduct of avaricious men, whofe fordid fouls have
no higher ambition, and indeed, hardly any other
deiire than that of getting pelf. This is not only
unbecoming a gentleman and a fcholar, but, in my
opinion, wholly inconfiftent with the character.
I never knew an inftance of a perfon in whom this
difpofition took place in early life, that could apply
to ftudy, or that became eminent in any thing that
was good. The oppofite vice is the common fault
of youth, and it is againit this I would caution you.
The frugality I would recommend, is that of an in-
dependent mind, that fears and fcorns fubjeclion to
others, and remembers the jull faying of Solomon,
OB THE SENIOR CLASS. 21
that the borrower is fervant to the lender. That fru-
gality which arifes from order and ceconomy is
not only confident with, but it is the parent of li-
berality of fentiment and generofity of conduft.
It is indeed the fource of beneficence, for no man can
beftow out of an empty purfe. On the other hand,
covetoufnefs and profufion are by no means repug-
nant to each other; and indeed they are more fre-
quently joined than many apprehend. The ftric-
ture of Salluft in the chara&er of Cataline, alien:
appetens, fid prof uf us, has been often cited, and may
generally be applied to loofe and profligate livers.
I hope therefore you will learn betimes to diftin-
guifh between the virtue and the vice, and to ad-
here to the one zi much as you defpife the other.
I will make an observation here, which may be
applied not only to the diftincHon of chara£ter in
this inftance, but in almoft every other that has
been, or fhall be mentioned. It will be much your
intereft, if you learn betimes to make not a hafty
but a deliberate and candid judgment, when you
infer chara&er from appearances. The habits of
life which men contract, give a bias to their opinions
and even a tindture to their conversation and phra-
feology. Perfons inclined to levity and diflipation,
will often afcribe to covetoufnefs, what arifes from
very different caufes. I have known, even in youth,
a perfon, declining to engage in a party of pleafure,
accufed by his companions as mean and fneaking,
and afraid of his purfe, when, in reality, it was not
that he loved money more, but pleafure lefs. It
may fometimes happen, that a perfon of principle
will fee it proper to decline meetings of feftivitv
Vol. VI. C
Zl AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS
though not dire&ly finful, as an unneceflary wafte
of time, or from fome other circumftance to him
dangerous and enfnaring. I have alfo feen perfons
more advanced in years, who from a habit, perhaps
a neceflary habit, of ftridt temperance, and retired
manner of life, were very (paring of perfonal ex-
igence, and even not much difpofed to focial inter-
courfe, and therefore called clofe or covetous, and yet
when applied to, for pious and charitable purpofes,
would be much more liberal than others of an op-
pofite turn of mind. Observations perfectly fimiiar
might be made upon the oppofite character of li-
berality. It is not every kind of opennefs of heart
that indicates profufion. We are told by Solomon,
Prov. ;xi. 25. " That the liberal ^pul fhall be made
fat/' and by the prophet Ifaiah, Ifa. xxxii. 8. " That
the liberal defireth liberal things, and by liberal
things he fhall be eftablifhed." From thefe con-
trafted remarks, I infer, that as it is feldom necef-
fary to judge peremptorily of others, fo forbearance
and the mod charitable allowance, is both our duty
and intereft.
In the next place, I recommend to you humi-
lity of heart and meeknefs of carriage. I conf;
in this place, the grace of humility as a virtue ef-
pecially Serviceable to your earthly comfort. I
confider and mean to treat it as a maxim of world-
ly prudence. The fcripture feems to point it out
as peculiarly neceflary for this purpofe, and to an-
nex the promife of earthly happinefs to the pra&ice
of it : Matth. v. 5. " BlefTed are the meek," lays
our Saviour, " for they (ball inherit the earth." I
would underftand him as frying, every good man
OF THE SENIOR CLASS. 2j
fhall inherit the kingdom of heaven, but thofe who
excel in meeknefs, ihall of all others have comfort
on earth. In many different views, we may
fee the propriety of this connection. Nothing
is more offenfive to others, than a proud affum-
ing manner. It not only magnifies every fault,
but vitiates even good conduct. It is not only odi-
ous to virtuous perfons, but it is equally, if not
more fo, to thole who are without principle. Some
rices recommend a man to the vicious in the fame
line, as one drunkard is pleafed with the fight of
another*, but nothing is fo hateful to a proud man
as another of the fame character, nor is offence
fconer given or taken than between thofe, who in
this refpett, perfectly refemble one another. This
vice is not only odious to perfons of underftanding
and reflection, but to the mod ignorant, being as
eafily perceived as it is univerfally hated.
The moral virtue of meeknefs and condefcenfion,
is the befb ground- work even of worldly politenefs,
and prepares a man to receive that polifh, which
makes his behaviour generally agreeable, and fits
him for intercourfe with perfons in the higher ranks
of life. • The fame virtue, by the compofure a
felf-command thatiaccompanies it, enables a man
to manage his affairs to advantage, in whatever cal-
ling he may 'be engaged, or in whatever ftation he
may be placed. A good fhopkeeper is commonly
remarkable for this quality. People love to go
where th^f riteet with good words and gentle tn
ment; 'whereas the peevifh and petulant maybe
faid to have a repelling quality about them that will
not fuffer any body to approach them.
C2
24 AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS
To complete the whole, meeknefs of fpirit is as
ufeful to a man's felf, as meeknefs of carriage is
acceptable to others. The meek fufter much lets
from the unavoidable evils of life, than thofe of a
contrary difpofition. Many crofs accidents of the
lefs important kind, are in a manner annihilated
when they are borne with calmnefs. The injury
they do us, is not owing half fo much to their
weight or feverity, as to the irritability of their
own minds. It is evident that the fame difpofition
muft greatly alleviate calamities of a heavier kind ;
and from analogy you may perceive, that as it mi-
tigates the forrows, it multiplies and adds to the
fweetnefs of the comforts of life. A moderate por-
tion gives greater fatisfa&ion to the humble and
thankful, than the moft ample poffefiions to the proud
and impatient.
pearly allied to the above virtue, is the govern-
ment of your pafiions, and therefore of this I fhall
fay but little. Every one muft be fenfible how im-
portant it is, both for the fuccefs of your worldly
callings, and your ufefulnefs in public life, to have
your paffions in due fubjection. Men of furious
and ungoverned tempers, prone to excefs in attach-
ment and refentment, either as to perfons or things,
are feldom fuccefsful in their purfuits, or rcfpected
and ufeful in their Rations. Perfons of ungovern-
ed paffions, are almoft always fickle and change-
able in their meafures, which is of all things the
moft fatal to important undertakings. Thefe gene-
rally require time and patience to bring them to
perf-cton. As to public and political life in par-
ticular, the neceflity of felf-gcvernment is fo great,
OF THE SENIOR CLASS. 2$
and fo univerfally acknowledged, that it is ufual to
impute it in eminent men, not to principle, but addrefs
and policy. It is commonly faid that politicians have
no paflions. Without inquiring into this, I (hall only
fay, that whatever truth may be in it, it is ft 111 in fa-
vour of my argument. The hypocrify does honour
to the virtue. If the appearance be fo neceflary or
fo ufeful, what mud be the value of the reality ?
I will here take an opportunity of confuting, or
at lead corre£r.ing, a common faying or proverbial
fentiment, many of which indeed that obtain belief
in a blinded world, are nothing but falfe colouring
and deception. It is ufual to fay, in defence of
fudden and violent pafhon, that it is better to fpeak
freely and openly, than to harbour and cover fecret
heart malice. Perhaps I might admit that this would
be true,.if the inward rage were to be as violent, and
continue as long, and return as often, as indulged
paflion. Every perfon muft agree, that wherever
there is a deep and lading hatred, that never for-
gets nor forgives, but waits for the opportunity of
vengeance, it deferves to be confidered as a temper
truly infernal. But in mod inftances of offence be-
tween man and man, to reftrain the tongue is the
way to govern the heart. If you do not make men-
lion of an injury, you will truly and fpeedily forgive
it, and perhaps literally forget it. R^ge is in this
refpe£t like a fire \ if a vent is given to it, it will in-
creafe and fpread, while there is fuel to con fume,
but if you can confine and ltifle it, you will com-
pletely extinguifh it.
To the government of the paflions fucceeds the
government of the tongue. This indeed will in a.
C i
20 AN ADDRES3 TO THE STUDENTS
great meafure, be the effect of the former, and
therefore is recommended by all the fame argu-
ments, yet it deferves very particular attention, fc-
uely as a maxim of prudence. There are great
indifcretions in fpeech, that do not arife from paf-
fion, but from inattention and want of judgment as
to the propriety of time and place, and indeed many
other fources. I would therefore earneftly recom-
mend to you to habituate yourfelves to reftraint in
this refpeft, efpecially in the early part of life. " Be
Kvift to hear/' fays St. James, " and flow to fpeak."
Forward ncfs in fpeech is always thought an all lim-
ing thing in youth, and. in promifcuous companies
is often confidcred as an infult, as well as an indif-
cretion. It is very common for the world in gene-
ral, and ftill more fo for men of judgment and
penetration, to form an opinion of a charafter on
the whole, from feme one circumftance, and I
think there are few things more unfavourable in this
way than a talkative difpofition. If the firft time
I am in company, efpecially with a young man, he
talks incefTantly, and takes the whole converfatkm to
himfelf, I fhall hardly be brought to have a good
opinion of him, whether what he fays be good or
evil, fenfe or nonfenfe. There are fome perfons,
who, ono might fay, give away fo much wifdom in
their fpeech, that they leave none behind to govern
their actions.
But the chief danger of an ungoverned tongue, is,
that it kindles the fire of contention among others,
and makes enemies to a man's felf. Solomon fays,
4i Where no tale-bearer is, the ftrife ceafeth.^ A
little experience will ibew you how unfafe it is to
OF THE SENIOR CLASS. 27
ufe much freedom in fpeech with abfent perfons.
In that cafe you put yourfelf wholly in the power of
thofe that hear you, and are in danger, not only from
their treachery or malice, but from their miftakes,
ignorance, and imprudence. Perhaps it would be
too rigid to fay, that you ought never to fpeak to a
man's pejudice in his abfence, what you would be
unwilling to fay in his prefence. Some exceptions
to this rule might eafily be conceived. But both
prudence and candour require that you fhould be
very referved in this refpect, and either adhere ltricc-
ly to the rule or be fure that good reafons will
juftify a departure from it.
This will be a very proper place to give you fome
dire&ions, as to the moft proper conduct, when you
fuffer from the tongues of others. Many and grie-
vous are the complaints of what men fuffer from
the envenomed (hafts of envy and malice. And
there certainly is a ftrong difpofition in fome to in-
vent, and in many to believe flanderous falfehoods.
The prevalence of party, in religion or politics,
never fails to produce a plentiful crop of this poi-
fonous weed. One of the moil important rules up-
on this fubjecl is, that when an accufation is in any
degree well-founded, or fufpicious appearances have
given any occafion for it, the fivft duty is to reform
what is really wrong, and keep at a diftance from
the difputed limit.
This will bring good out of evil, and turn an
injury into a benefit. But in cafes, as it may often
happen, when the flander is perfectly groundlefs, I
hold it to be in general the belt way wholly to def-
pife it. Time and the power of tcuU), will of
28 AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS
themfelves do juftice in nlmoft every cafe of this
kind ; but if you (hew an impatience under it, a dif-
pofition to refent it, or a folicitude to refute it, the
far greateft part of mankind will believe it, not
the lefs, but the more. If flander were a plant or
an animal, I would fay it was of a very ftrange
nature, for that it would very eafily die, but could
not eafily be killed. It difcovers a greatnefs of mind
and a confcious dignity, to defpife flanders, which
of itfelf commands refpeft •, whereas to be either
offended or diftrefTed by them, fhews a weaknefs
not amiable, whether the accufation be true or
falfe.
This rule I do not fay, is wholly without excep-
tion. There may be cafes where vindications may
be neceffary and effe&ual, but they are not many.
And I think I have feen in the courfe of my life,
reafon to make the following diftin&ion. If the
accufation or flander be fpecial, and relate to a par-
ticular fa&, fixed by time, place and other circum-
ftances, and if it be either wholly falfe, or efTential-
ly miftaken in its nature and tendency, the matter
may be explained, and juftice may be done. But if
it be a general character, that happens to be imput-
ed to a man, he ought to attempt no refutation of
it, but by conduct : the more he complains of it,
the more he fpeaks of it, the more he denies it, it
will be the more believed. For example, if it be af-
firmed that a man fpoke profanely in a certain com-
pany, at a certain place and time, when he was
not prefent at all, it may be eafily and completely
refuted : but 'f he is accufed of being proud, con-
tentious, covetous, or deceitful, although thefe ac-
cusations are pretended to be fupported by a train
OF THE SENIOR CLASS. 2$
of fa£ts, it is better to let them wholly alone, and
fuffer his condu£t to fpeak for itfelf. There are in-
ftances in hiftory, of accufations brought with much
plaufibility, and urged with great vehemence, which
yet have been either from the beginning difbelieved,
or by time confuted •, which occafioned the Latin
proverb, Magna ejl Veritas et pravalebit.
All the above-mentioned particulars may be faid
to be the happy effects of wifdom and benevolence
united ; or rather, perhaps, in the light in which they
have been dated to you, they are chiefly the proper
fruits of that wifdom which is "profitable to dire£t."
But I mufl add another advice, which is the imme-
diate effe£t of benevolence and good-will-, that is, be
ready to aflift others, and do good as you have op-
portunity. As every thing is liable to be abufed,
fometimes the maxima of prudence take a wrong
direction, and clofe the heart againft impreflions of
fympathy and tendernefs towards others in diftrefs.
Sometimes indeed, the coolnefs and eompofure of
fpirit, and that felf-command, which is the effect
of reflection and experience, is miftaken for a cal-
lous and unfeeling heart, though it is a very different
thing. To give way to the agitation of paflion,
even under the fined feelings, is the way to prevent,
inftead of promoting ufefulnefs. A parent over-
whelmed with furprife and anxiety, at a calamitous
accident that has befallen a child, fhall be incapable
either of reflection or activity, and mail fometimes
even need the afliftance which he ought to give.
But independently of this, there are certainly fome
perfons who contract a habit of indifference as to
the wants or defires of others, and are not willing to
30 AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS
put themfelves to any inconvenience, unlefs their
own particular concerns may be promoted at the
fame time.
In oppofition to this, I mean to recommend to you a
difpofition to oblige, not merely by civil expreflions,
and an affable deportment, but by taking a realinterefl
in the affairs of others. Be not unwilling to lend
your advice, your affiftance, your intereft, to thofe
that need them. Thofe who cannot fpare pecunia-
ry affiftance, may do many acts of valuable friend-
fhip. Let every neighbour perceive that you are
not ready to quarrel needlefsly, nor infift pertina-
cioufly on trifles •, and if you live to obtain credit and
influence, let them be employed to affift the defend-
ing of every clafs. If you undertake to do the bu-
finefs of others, attend to it with the fame fidelity,
and if poffible, with greater pv-idluality than you
would to your own. Some are ready to excufe or
juftify a contrary conduct, by complaining of the
xrigratitude or injuftice of mankind. But in my
opinion, thefe complaints are contrary to truth and
experience. There may be many particular perfons
both ungrateful and unjuft ; but in the world in ge-
neral, there will be found a clearnefs of difcern-
ment, and an exa&nefs of retribution. Our Sa-
viour tells us, with refpe£t to one fault, that of rafh
judging, what is equally true as to injuries of every
kind, M with what meafure ye mete, it ill d 1 1 be
meafured to you agai:i -, good meafure preffed down
and fhaken together, and running over, (hall men
give into your bofom/ Luke vi. 38.
This, in my opinion, may and ought to be un-
derilood both ways. As the churlifh Nabal gene-
OF THE SENIOR CLASS. 3 I
rally meets with his match, fo perfons of a humane
and friendly difpofition (hall reap the fruits of it to
them or theirs. The truth is, the difpofition itfelf
is not in its perfection, but when there is no regard
to an immediate return. If you give, looking for
a fpeedy recompenfe, it is not giving but felling.
You may however, fafely truft to the promife of God :
" Caft thy bread upon the waters, for thou fhalt
find it after many days." Eccl. xi. i.
I have known many inftances of kindnefTes that
were both remembered and requited, after they had
been long forgotten by him who beftowed them.
Nay, fometimes they may be repaid in another ge-
neration. It is no inconfiderable legacy for a man
to leave to his children, that he had always been a
friend to others, and never refufed his affiftance to
thofe who itood in need of it.
It will not be an improper place here to introduce
a few words upon a fubjedt, which has been often
handled by writers of the firft clafs: I mean private
friendfhip. Some writers againft religion, have actual-
ly made it an obje&ion againft Chriftianity, that it does
not recommend private friendfhip, or the love of our
country. If this were true, it would be no fault, becaufe
theuniverfal benevolence recommended by thegofpel,
includes ail private affections, when they are confident
with it, and is far fuperior to them when they are
contrary to it. But in fa£t, the inftances of private
friendfhip mentioned and alluded to in fcripture,
are a fufiicient recommendation of it ; and even our
blefled Saviour himfelf is faid to have diftinguifh-
cd the youngeft of his difciples with particular af-
fection. I will therefore obferve, with mod authors.
32 AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS
that there is no true friendfhip, but what is found-
ed upon virtuous principles, and directed to vir-
tuous purpofes. To love a perfon who is not
worthy of love, is not a virtue, but an error.
Neither is there any dependance to be placed in
trying cafes, upon perfons unprincipled at bottom.
There never was a true friend, who was not an
honeft man. But befides this important truth, it
is further to be obferved, that there is a fpecies of
friendfhip which is neither founded on virtue nor
vice, but mere weaknefs of mind. Some perfons,
having no refources in themfelves, are obliged to
have recourfe to fome other, upon whom they may
lean, and without whom they feem as if they could
neither think, act, nor even exift. This fort of
friendfhip is to be feen particularly in princes and
perfons of high rank, and is generally called favori-
tifm ; but the fame thing may be obferved in all
ranks, though, in the lower, it is not fo confpicu-
ous. We may fay of it, that it is like fome of thofe
plants that are falfe and fpurious in their kind,
which have fome of the appearances, but want the
molt valuable and eflential qualities of thofe that
are genuine. Such friendfhips are commonly con-
tracted by caprice or accident, and uncertain in
their duration, being liable to be diflblved by the
fame means. Valuable friendfhip is the refult of
judgment as well as affection : it is one of the
greateft comforts of life as well as one of the great-
eft ornaments to human nature, and its genuine-
nefs may be difcerned by the following mark :
that though it is particular, it is not exclufive.
"When there is a great, but virtuous attachment to
OF THE SENIOR CLASS. 33
a perfon who deferves it, it will make a man not
lefs, but more friendly to all others, as opportunity
t>r circumftances fhall call him to ferve them.
You will perhaps be furprifed that as I have fo
often exprefled a defire of your being accomplifhed
in every refpe£t, that I have heretofore faid nothing
or but little on that politenefs and grace in beha-
viour, which is fo much talked of, and which, in
fome late writings, has been fo highly extolled.
What has been already explained to you, I hope
will lay the foundation for the moft folid, valuable
and durable politenefs. Think of others as reafon
and religion require you, and treat them as it is
your duty to do, and you will not be far from a
well-polifhed behaviour. As to any thing further,
that is external in mode and propriety of carriage,
it can never be learned but by intercourfe with the
beft company. As to the writings above referred
to, the chief of which are Rochefoucault's Maxims
and Chefterfield's Letters, I think of them as of
many other free writings, that when viewed pro-
perly, that may be as ufeful, as by being viewed
otherwife, they are generally pernicious. .They
contain a digefted fyftem of hypocrify, and betray
fuch pride and felf-fufficiency, and fuch hatred or
contempt of mankind, as may well be an antidote
againft the poifon which they mean to convey.
Nay, one would think the publication of fuch fen-
timents is ridiculous, becaufe it is telling you that
they defire to be polite, and at the fame time that
this politenefs confifts in taking you by the weak
fide, and difplaying their own addrefs by over-reach-
ing yours.
Vol. VI. D
34 AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS
I mud alio obfcrve, that fuch writings give in
general, a very unjuft as well as difhonourable \
of nature and mankind. I remember, indeed, Dean
Swift fays,
" As Roche foucault his maxims drew
<c From nature, I believe them true."
What mud I fay to this ? Shall I fay that be did
not draw his maxims from nature ? I will not, be-
caufe I think he did. Am I obliged then to admit
them to be true ? By no means. It is nature, but
it is juft fuch a view of nature, as a man without
principle muft take. It is in himfelf, that all the
error and exaggeration is to be found.
Thofe who difcover an univerfal jealoufy, and in-
discriminate contempt for mankind in general, give
very little reafon to think well of th'emfclvcs. Pro-
bably men are neither fo good as they pretend, nor
fo bad as they are often thought to be. At any
rate, candour in fentiment as well as conduct, as it
is an important duty of religion, fo it is a wife
maxim for the conduct of life •, and I believe
thefe two things are very feklom if ever found
either Separate from, or oppofed to each other.
The laft advice that I fhall offer you, is to pro
ferve a facred and inviolable regard to Sincerity and
truth. Thofe who have received their education
here, or at leaft who have completed it, mud know
how much pains have been taken to eiiablifh the
univerfal and unalterable obligation of truth. This
is not however mentioned now to introduce the
general fubject, or to {hew the guilt, felly and
danger of deliberate interefted falfehood, but to warn
you againft the fmaller breaches of truth now fo
very common, fuch as want of punctuality to ap
OF THE SENIOPs. CLASS. 35
pointments, breach of promife in fmall matters,
officious falfehoods, that is, deceiving children, fick
perfons or others for their good \ jocular decep-
tions, which are not intended to continue long, or
be materially hurtful to others. Not one of thefe
is without fin before God, and they are much more
hurtful than is commonly fuppofed. So very facred
a thing indeed is truth, that the very fhadow of de-
parture from it is to be avoided. Suppofe a man
only to exprefs his prefent purpofe as to futurity,
for example, to fay he will go to fuch a place to-
morrow, though there is no proper obligation given,
nor any right to require performance, yet if he
does fo often, he will acquire the character of
levity and unfteadinefs, which will operate much
to his difadvantage. Let me therefore recommend
to you a ftri£t, univerfal and fcrupulous regard to
truth — It will give dignity to your character — ft
will put order into your affairs ; it will excite the
mod unbounded confidence, fo that whether your
view be your own intereft, or the fervice of others,
it promifes you the mod affured fuccefs. I am al-
fo perfuaded, that there is no virtue that has a more
powerful influence upon every other, and certainly
there is none by which you can draw nearer to God
himfelf, whofe diftinguiihing character, is, that
will not, and he cannot lie.
D 2
A
SERIOUS
INQUIRY
INTO THE
NATURE and EFFECTS
OF THE
STAGE;
t.ING AN ATTEMPT TO SHEW, THAT CONTRIBUTING TO THE
SUPPORT OF A PUBLIC THEATRE, IS INCONSISTENT WITH
THE CHARACTER OF A CHRISTIAN.
THE reader will probably conjecture, and
therefore I do readily acknowledge, that
what gave occafion both to the writing, and pub-
lifhing the enfuing treatife, was the new tragedy of
Douglas, lately afred in the theatre at Edinburgh.
This, univerfal uncontradicted fame fays, is the
work of a minifter of the Church of Scotland. One
of that character and office employing his time in
writing for the ftage, every one will allow, is a
very new and extraordinary event. In one refpect
neither author nor actors have fuffered any thing
from this circumftance : for doubtlefs, it contri-
buted its {hare in procuring that run upon the re-
presentation, which continued for feveral d<
tural curiofity prompted many to make trial,
whether there was any difference between a play
A SERIOUS INQUIRY, &C. /I
written by a clergyman, and one of another author.
And a concern for the fate of fitch a pcrfon excited
the zeal and diligence of friends, to do all in their
er to procure a full houfe, that the bold ad-^
venturer might be treated with refpedt. and honour.
Some refolutions of the prefbytery of Edinburgh
feem to threaten, that public notice will be taken
of this author and his aflbciates by their fuperiors
in the church. Whether this will be carried on,
and if it be, whether they will be approved or cen-
fured, and if the laft, to what degree, I pretend
not to foretel. But ene thing is certain, that it
hath been, and will be, the fubjeft of much thought
and converfation among the laity of aH ranks, and
that it muft have a very great influence upon the
ftate of religion among u&, in this part of the na-
tion. That this influence will be for the better,
though I refolve to examine the fubject with all
impartiality, I confefs, I fee little ground to hope.
There is no doubt that it will be condemned by the
grert plurality of thofe who go by the appellation
of the ftricter fort. "With them, it will bring a
great reproach upon the Church of Scotland, as
containing one mini ft Cr who writes for the ft age.
and many who think it no crime to attend the re-
fentatioir. It is true, no other confequences
are to be apprehended from their difpleafure, than.
the weakeft of them being provoked to unchriftian
refentment, or tempted to draw rafh rnd general
conelufions from the conduct of a few to the cha-
racter of the whole, or perhaps fome of them fepa~
rating from the eftablifbed church, none of which
effect of late have been much cither feared of
3
8 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
fhunned. However, even on tliis account, it werv
to be wiflied, either that it had never happened, or
that it could be {hewn, t* the conviction of unpre-
judiced minds, that it was a juft and commendable
on.
But, to be fure, the chief danger is, that in cafe
it be really a bad thing, it muft give very great of-
j in the Scripture fenfe of that word, to thofe
who are moft apt to take it, viz. fuch as have leaft
religion, or none at all. An offence is a ftumbling-
block over which the weak and unftedfaft are in
danger of falling ; that is to fay, it emboldens
them to commit, and hardens them in the practice
of fin. Now, if the flage is unlawful or dangerous
to a Chriftian, thofe who are by inclination fo ad-
dicted to it that it is already difficult to coirince
i
them of their error, muft be greatly confirmed in
this error, by the example and countenance of fuch
as call themfelves minifters of Chrift. It has ac-
cordingly already occafioned more difcourfe among
the gay part of the world, in defence or commen-
dation of the ftage, than paffed perhaps for fome
years preceding this event.
Nothing therefore can be more feafonable at this
time, or neceffary for the public good, than a care-
ful and accurate difcuffion of this queftion, whether
fupporting and encouraging ftage-plays, by writing,
afting, or attending them, is confident, or incon-
fiftent, with the character of a Chriftian ? It is to
no purpofe to confine the inquiry to this, Whether
a minifter is not appearing in an improper light,
and mifapplying his time and talents, when lie de-
dicates them to the fervice of the ftage ? That point
NATURE AND EITECTS OF THE STAGE.
would probably be given up by moft, and thofe
who would deny it do not merit a confutation.
But if the matter is refted here, it will be confidered
only as a fmaller mifdemeanor, and though treated,
or even condemned as fuch, it will ftill have the
bad effect (upon fuppofition of theatrical amufe-
ments being wrong and fmful) of greatly promoting
them, though we feem to be already as much given
to them as even worldly confiderations will allow.
The felf-denying apologies common with authors,
of their being fenfible of their unfitnefs for the talk
they undertake, their doing it to fiir up a better
hand, and to on, I wholly pafs, having never read
any of them with approbation. Prudence is good,
and I would not willingly lefe fight of it, but zeal
and concern for the glory of God, and faithfulnef*
to the fouls of others, are duties equally neceflary
in their place, but much mere rare. How far I
am fenfible of my own unfitnefs for treating this
fubject, and of the reputation that is rifked by at-
tempting it, the world is not obliged to believe up-
on my own teftimony 5 but in whatever degree it
be, it is greatly overbalanced at prefent, by a view
of the declining ftate of religion among us, the pre-
valence of national fins, and the danger of defeat-
ing judgments.
It is fome difcouragement in this attempt, that
it is very uncertain whether many of thofe, for
whofe fakes it is chiefly intended, and who Hand
moft in need of information upon the fubject, will
take the pains to look into it. Such a levity of
revails in this age, that very few perfons of
faftiion will read or confidcr any thing that is w
4* A SI RI XUTtLl INTO THE
ten in a grave or ferious ftylc. "Whoever will look
into the monthly catalogues of books, publifhcd in
Britain for fome years pad, may be convinced of
this at one glance. What an immenfe proportion
do romances, under the titles of lives, adventures,
memoirs, hiftories, &c. bear to any other fort of
production in this age ? Perhaps therefore it may
be thought that it would have been mor* proper to
have gratified the public tafte, by railing up fome
allegorical ftrucTture, and handling this fubjecl: in the
way of wit and humour*, efpecially as it feems to be
a modern principle, that ridicule is the teft of truth,
and as there feems to be fo large a fund for mirth,
in the character of a ftage-playing prieft. But,
though, I deny not the lawfulnefs of ufing ridicule
in fome cafes, or even its propriety here, yet I am
far from thinking it is the teft of truth. It feems
to be more proper for correction than for inftruc-
tion \ and though it may be fit enough to whip art
offender, it is not unufual, nor unsuitable, firft to
expoftulate a little with him, -and {hew him that he
deferves it. Befides, every man's talent is
equally fit for it, and indeed, now the matter feems
to have been carried beyond a jeft, and to require
a very ferious confuleration.
There is alfo, befides fome difcouragment, a real
difficulty in entering on this difquifition. It will
be hard to know in what manner to reafon, or
what principles to build. It were eafy to fhew the
unlawfuinefs of ft age- plays, by fuch arguments as
would appear conclusive to thofe who already hate
both them fupporters: but it is not eafy
to make it appear to thofe who chiefly frequent
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 41
them, becaufe they will both applaud and juftify
fome of the very things that others look upon as the
word effects of the practice, and will deny the very
principles on which they are condemned. The
truth is, it is our having different views of the na-
ture of religion, that caufes different opinions upon
this fubje&. For many ages there was no debate
upon it at all. There were players, but they did
not pretend to be Chrifiians themfelves, and they
had neither countenance nor fupport from any who
did. Whereas now, there are abundance of advo-
cates for the lawfulnefs, fome for the ufefulnefs,
of plays; not that the ftage is become more pure,
bur that Chrifiians are become lefs fo, and have
lowered the ftandard or meafure requifite to attain
and preferve that character.
But there is ftill another difficulty, that whoever
undertakes to write againft plays, though the pro-
vocation is given by what they are, is yet always
called upon to attack them, not as they are, but as
they might be. A writer on this fubject is actually
reduced to the neceility of figl » .ng with a fhadow,
of maintaining a combat with an ideal or imaginary
fort of drama, which never yet exifted, but which
the defenders of the caufe form by way of fuppoii-
tk>0, and which fhall appear, in fact, in that happy
future age, which fhall fee, what thefe gentlemen
are plcafed to ftyle, a well regulated ftage. How-
ever little fupport may feem to be given by this to
a vicious and corrupted ftage there is no attendei
01 plays but, when he hears this chimera defended,
imagines it is his own caufe that is efpouied, and
h great compofure and felf-fatisfa&iorjj a
42 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
his praftice. A condu& not lcfs abfurd, than if
one who was cxpvefsly allured a certain difh of
meat before him was poifoned, fhould anfwer thus,
AH moat is not poifoned, and therefore I may eat
this with fafety.
It is very plain, that were men but ferioufly dif-
pofed, and without prejudice defiring the know-
ledge of their duty, it would not be necelTary, in
order to fhow the unlawfulnefs of the ftage, as it
now is, to combat it in its imaginary reformed ftate.
Such a reformation, were not men by the prevalence
of vicious and corrupt affections, in love with it,
even in its prefent condition, would have been long
ago given up as a hopelefs and vifionary project,
and the whole trade or employment detefted, on
account of the abufes that had always adhered to
it. But fince all advocates for the ftage have and
do (till defend it in this manner, by forming an idea
of it feparate from its evil qualities •, fince they
defend it fo far with fuccefs, that many who would
otherwife abftain, do, upon this very account, allow
themfelves in attending the theatre fometimes, to
their own hurt and that of others : and, as I
convinced on the mod mature deliberation, that the
reafon why there never was a well regulated ftage, in
fa£r, is becaufe it cannot be, the nature of the thing
not admitting of it ; I will endeavour to (hew, that
Public Theatrical Representations, either
tragedy or comedy, are in their general nature or
in their heft pofTible ftate, unlawful, contrary to
die purity of our religion : and that writing, acting
or attending them, is incontiftent with the character
of a Chriftian. If this be doue with fuc
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 4^
will give great weight to the refactions which {hall
be added upon the aggravation ot ihe crime, confi-
dering the circumftances that at prefent attend the
practice.
But, though I have thus far complied with the
unreafonable terms impofed by the advocates for
this amufement, they muft not proceed to any
higher demand, nor expe£t, becaufe they have pre-
vailed to have plays confidered in the way that
they themfelves defire, that therefore the fame
thing muft be done by religion, and that it muft
be lowered down to the defcriptipns they are fome-
times pleafed to give of it. I will by no means
attack plays upon the principles of modern relaxed
morality. In that cafe, to be fure, it would be a
loft caufe. If fome late writers on the fubjecr, of
morals be permitted to determine what are the in-
gredients that muft enter into the compofition of a
good man, that good man, it is agreed, may much
more probably be found in the play-houfe than in
any other place. But what belongs to the character
of a Chriftian muft be taken from the holy Scrip-
tures, the wrord of the living God. Notwithstand-
ing therefore, that through the great degeneracy of
the age, and very culpable relaxation of difcipline,
not a few continue to be called Chriftians, who are
a reproach to the name, and fupport and coun-
tenance one another in many practices contrary to
the purity of the Chriftian profefnon, I fhall beg
leave (till to recur to the unerring ftandard, and to
confider, not what many nominal Chriftians are,
but what every real Chriftian ought to be.
In fo doing I think I fhall reafon juftly •, and at
4-| A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
the fame time it is my refolution, not only to fpeak
the fenfe, but, as often as poflible, the very lan-
guage and phrafes of the Scripture, and of our
pious fathers. Thefe are either become venerable
to me for their antiquity, or they are much fitter
for exprefling the truths of the gofpel, and delineat-
ing the character and duty of a difciple of Chrift,
than any that have been invented in latter times.
As the growth or decay of vegetable nature is often
fo gradual as to be infenfible ; fo in the moral
world, verbal alterations, which are counted as no-
thing, do often introduce real changes, which are
firmly eftablifhed before their approach is fo much
as fufpe£ted. Were the ftyle, not only of fome
modern eiTays, but of fome modern fermons, to be
introduced upon this fubjeft, it would greatly
weaken the argument, though no other alteration
fhould be made. Should we every where put vir-
tue for holinefs, honour, or even moral fenfe for
confeience, improvement of the heart for fandifi-
cation, the oppofition between fuch things and
theatrical entertainments would not appear half fo
fenfible.
By taking up the argument in the light now pro-
pofed, I am faved in a great meafure, from the re-
petition of what has been written by other authors
on the fubjecTt. But let it be remembered, that
they have clearly and copioufly fhewn the corrup-
tion and impurity of the fhage and its adherents,
fince its firft inftitution, and that both in the hea-
then and Chrillian world. They have made it un-
deniably appear, that it was oppofed and condemned
by the beft and wifeft men, both heathens and
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 45
Chriftians in every age *". Its very defenders do
all pretend to blame the abufe of it. They do in-
deed alledge that this abufe is not eflential to it,
but may be feparated from it ; however, all of them,
fo far as I have feen, reprefent this feparation as only
poflible or future 5 they never attempt to affign
* Particularly at Athens, where it first had its birth,
both tragedy and comedy were soon abolished by public
authority; and among the Romans, though this and other
public shows were permitted in a certain degree, 3'et so
cautious were that wise people of suffering them to be fre-
quent, that they did not permit any public theatre, when
occasionally erected, to continue above a certain number
of days. Even that erected by M. Scaurus, which is said
to have cost so immense a sum as a million sterling, was
speedily taken down. Pompey the Great was the first
who had power and credit enough to get a theatre con-
tinued.
The opinion of Seneca may be seen in tlie following
passage : — <{ Nihil est tarn damnosum bonis moribus, quam
in aliquo spectaculo desidere. Tunc enim per voluptatem
facilius vitia surrepunt."
As to the primitive Christians, see Constit. Apost. lib.
8. cap. 32. where actors and stage-players are enumerated
among those who are not to be admitted to baptism. Many
different councils appoint that they shall renounce their
arts before they be admitted, and if they return to them
shall be excommunicated. Tertullian de Spectaculis, cap.
22. observes, That the heathens themselves marked them
with infamy, and excluded them from all honours, and dig-
nity. To the same purpose see Aug. de Civ. Del. lib. 2.
. 14. " Actores poeticarum fabularum remover? t a so-
i ittate civitatis — ab honoribus cmnibus repellunt horn',
sccnicos."
The opinion of modems is well known, few Ch
writers of any eminence having failed to pronou:
ze against the .:tage.
Vol. VL E
4<5 A SERIOUS INQUIHY INTO THE
any xra in which it could be defended as it then
li or could be affirmed to be more profitable than
hurtful. Some writers do mention a few particular
plays of which they give their approbation. But
thefe have never yet, in any age or place, amounted
to fuch a number, as to keep one fociety of players
in conftant employment, without a mixture of many
more that are confeffedly pernicious. The only
reafon of bringing this in view at prefent when it is*
not to be infilled on, is that it ought to procure a
fur and candid hearing to this attempt to prove,
That the flage, after the greateft improvement of
which it is capable, is ftill inconfiftent with the
purity of the Chriftian profeflion. It is a flrong
prefumptive evidence in favour of this aflertion,
that, after fo many years trial, fuch improvement
has never actually taken place.
It is perhaps alfo proper here to obviate a pre-
tence, in which the advocates of the ftage greatly
glory, that there is no exprefs prohibition of it to be
found in fcripture. I think a countryman of our
own * has given good reafons to believe, that the
apo'ftle Paul, in his epiftle to the Ephefians, chap, v.
verfe 4. by " filthinefs, foolifli talking, and jetting,"
intended to prohibit the plays that were then in use.
lie alfo thinks it probable, that the word Kopoi;
ufed in more places than one, and tranflated " re-
velling," points at the fame thing. Whether his
conjectures are juft or not, it is very certain that
thefe, and many other pafiages, forbid the abufes of
the flage *, and if thefe abufes be infeparable -from
The late Mr. Anderson.
. NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 47
it, as there is reafon to believe, there needed no
other prohibition of them to every Chriflian. Nay,
if they never had been feparated from it till that
time, it was fufficient : and it would be idle to ex-
pert that the fcripture mould determine this proble-
matical point, Whether they would ever be fo in any
after age. To afk that there fhould be produ-
ced a prohibition of the ftage, as a ftage, univer-
fally, is to prefcribe to the Holy Ghoft, and to re-
quire that the fcripture fhould not only forbid fin,
but every form in which the reftlefs and changeable
difpofitions of men fhall think lit to be guilty of it,
and every name by which they fhall think proper to
call it. I do not find in fcripture any exprefs pro-
hibition of mafquerades, routs', and drums ; and yet
I have not the leaft doubt, that the aiTemblies called
by thefe names, are contrary to the will of God, and
as bad, if not worfe, than the common and ordina-
ry entertainments of the ftage.
In order to make this inquiry as exacl: and accu-
rate as poilible, and that the ftrength or weaknefs of
the arguments on either fide, may be clearly per-
ceived, it will be proper to ftate diftinclly, what we
tmderftand by the ftage, or ftage-plays, when it is
affirmed, that in their moft improved and beft regu-
lated ftate, they are unlawful to Chriftiaus. This
is the more necefTary, that there is a great indiftincl-
nefs and ambiguity in the language ufcd by thofe
who, in writing or converfation, undertake to 1
fend it. They analyze and divide it into par
take fometimcs one part, fometimes another, as v
beft fuit their purpofe. They afk, what there -
be unlawful in the ftage abftractedly Qon£dci
E2
48 A SERIOUS INQUIRY IKTO THE
Comedy is expofing the folly of vice, and pointing
out the ridiculous part of every character. And is
not this commendable ? Is not ridicule a noble means
of discountenancing vice ? And is not the ufe of it
warranted by the fatire and irony that is to be found
in the holy fcriptures ? Tragedy, they fay, is pro-
moting the fame end in a way more grave and fo-
lemn. It is a moral le&ure, or a moral picture, in
which virtue appears to great advantage. What is
hiftory itfelf, but reprefenting the chara&ers of men
as they actually were, and plays reprefent them as
they may be. In their perfection, plays are as like
hiftory a-nd nature, as the poet's art and a£tor's (kill
can make them. Is it then the circumftance of
their being written in dialogue, that renders them
criminal? who will pretend that? Is it that they
arc publicly repeated or afted over ? Will any one
pretend, that it is a crime to perfoliate a charafter
in any cafe, even where no deceit is intended? Then
farewel parables, figures of fpeech, and the whole
oratorial art. Is it a fin to look upon the reprefenta-
tion? Then it muit be a fin to look upon the world,
which is the original, of which plays are the copy.
This is the way which thole who appear in de-
fence of the ftage ordinarily take, and it is little bet-
ter than if one fhould fay, What is a ftage-play ? It
is nothing elfe abftra&edly confidered but a compa-
ny of men and women talking together ; Where is
the harm in that ? What hinders them from talk-
ing piouily and profitably, as well as wickedly or
hurtfully ? But, rejecting this method of reafoning
as unjuft and inconclufive, let it be obferved, that
thofe who plead for the lawfulnefs of the ftage in
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 49
any country, however well regulated, plead for what
implies, not by accident, but efTentially and of ne-
ceflity the following things, (1.) Such a number
of plays as will furnifh an habitual courfe of repre-
fentations, with fuch changes as the love of variety
in human nature neceflarily requires. (2.) Thefe
plays of fuch a kind, as to procure an audience of
voluntary fpectators, who are able and willing to
pay for being fo entertained. ^3.) A company of
hired players, who have this as their only bufinefs
and occupation, that they may give themfelves whol-
ly to it, and be expert in the performance. (4.)
The reprefentation muft be fo frequent as that the
profits may defray the expence of the apparatus, and
maintain thofe who follow this bufinefs. They
muft alfo be maintained in that meafure of luxury,
or elegance, if you pleafe, which their way of life,
and the thoughts to which they are accuftomcd, rriuft
make them defire and require. It is a thing im-
practicable to maintain a player at the fame expence
as you maintain a peafant.
Now all thefe things do, and mud enter into the
idea of a well regulated ftage ; and if any defend
it without fuppofmg this, he hath no adverfary that
I know of. Without thefe there may be poets, or
there may be plays, but there cannot be a play-
houfe. It is in vain then to go about to (hew, that
there have been an inftance or two, or may be, of
treatifes wrote in the form of plays, that are unex-
ceptionable. It were eafy to fnew very great faults
in fome of thofe mod univcrfally applauded ; but
this is unneceiTary. I believe it is very poffible to
write atreatife in the form of a dialogue, in which
E3
50 A SERIOUS I NQVIRY INTO THE
the general rules of the drama are obferved, which
(hall be as holy and ferious, as any fermon that
ever was preached or printed. Neither is there any
apparent impoflibility in getting different perfons to
ailume the different characters, and rehear fe it in
fociety. But it may be fafely affirmed, that if all
plays were of that kind, and human nature to con-
tinue in its prefent fiate, the doors of the play-houfe
would fhut of their own accord, becaufe nobody
would demand accefs * ; unlefs there were an a£t
of parliament to force attendance, and even in that
cafe, as much pains would probably be taken to
evade the law obliging to attend, as are now taken
to evade thofe that command us to abftain. The
Mir and plain ftate of this queftion then is, Whe-
ther it is poflible or pra&icable in the prefent ftate
of human nature, to have the above fyftem of things
under fo good a regulation, as to make the ere&ing
and countenancing the ftage agreeable to the will of
God, and confiftent with the-purity of the Chriftian
profeflion.
And here let us conffder a little what is the pri-
mary, and immediate intention of the ftage, Whe-
• This furnishes an easy answer to what is remarked by
some in favour of plays, that several eminent Christiana
have endeavoured to supplant bad plays by writing good
ones ; as Gregory Nazienzen, a father of the church and a
person of great piety, and our countryman Buchanan*
But did ever these plays come into repute ? Were they for-
merly, or are they now acted upon the stage ? the fate of
their works proves that these good men judged wrong in
attempting to leform the stage, and that the great majo-
rity of Christians acted more wisely who were for laying
it wholly aside.
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 5 I
ther it be for amufement and recreation, or for in
ftruction to make men wife and good. Perhaps,
indeed, the greateft part will choofe to compound
thefe two purpofes together, and fay it is for both ;
for amufement immediately, and for improvement
ultimately, that it inftru&s by pleafing, and re-
forms by Health. The patrons of a well regulated
ftage have it no doubt in their power to profefs any
of thefe ends in it they pleafe, if it is equally ca-
pable of them all -9 and therefore in one part or
other of this difcourfe, it muft be confidered in
every one of thefe lights. But as it is of moment,
becaufe of fome of the arguments to be afterwards
produced, let the reader be pleafed to confider, how
far recreation and amufement enter into the nature
of the ftage, and are, not only immediately and
primarily, but chiefly and ultimately, intended by
it.
If the general nature of it, or the end propofed
from it when well regulated, can be any way de-
termined from its firft inftitution, and the fubfequent
practice, it feems plainly to point at amufement.
The earlieft productions of that kind that are now
extant, are evidently incapable of any other ufe,
and hardly even of that to a perfon of any tafte or
judgment *. They ufually accompanied the feafts
* This is confessed by a defender of the stage who says,
u Such of the comedies before his (that is Meander's)
time, as have been preserved to us, are generally very
poor pieces, not so much ludicrous as ridiculous, even a
mountebank's merry andrew would be hissed now-a-days,
for such puerilities as we see abounding in Aristophanes/3
Rem. on Anderson's Positions concerning the unlawfulness
of stage-play?, page 8th,
>3 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THB
of the ancients in the houfes of the rich and opu-
lent *, and were particularly ufed in times of pub-
lic rejoicing. They have indeed generally been con-
sidered, in all ages, as intended for entertainment.
A modern author of high rank and reputation f,
who would not willingly hurt the caufe, confiders
them in this light, and this alone, and reprefents
their improvement, not as lying in their having a
greater moral tendency, but in the perfection of the
poet's art, and the refinement of the tafte of the
audience. It is only of late that men have begun
to dignify them with a higher title. Formerly they
were ever confidered as an indulgence of pleafure
and an article of luxury, but now they are exalted
into fchools of virtue, and reprefented as bulwarks
againft vice. It is probable, moll readers will be
apt to fmile when they hear them fo called, and to
fay to their defenders, This is but overdoing, pre-
ferve them to us as innocent amufements, and we
fhall not much contend about ufefulnefs. It is indeed
but an evidence of the diftrefs of the caufe ; for their
advocates only take up this plea when they are unable
to anfwer the arguments againft them upon any
other footing. It may alfo appear that they are
defigned for amufement, if we confider who have
been the perfons in all ages who have attended them,
viz. the rich, the young, and the gay, thofe who
live in pleafure, and the very bufinefs of whofe
lives is amufement.
• Plut. de Glor. Athen. & Sympos. lib. 7. quest. 8.
" As for the new comedy, it is so necessary an ingredient
of all public entertainments, that so to speak, one may
as well make a feast without wine, as without Meander."
f Shaftesbury.
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 53
But not to infift on thefe circumftances, I think
it is plain from the nature of the thing, that the im-
mediate intention of plays is to pleafe, whatever
effects may be pretended to flow aferwards, or by
accident, from this pleafure. They confift in an
exa£t imitation of nature, and the conformity of
the perfonated to real characters. This is the great
aim, and the great perfection, both of the poet and
of the a£tors. Now this imitation, of itfelf, gives
great pleafure to the fpectator, whether the actions
reprefented are good or bad. And, in itfelf con-
sidered, it gives only pleafure \ for the beauty of
the imitation, as fuch, hath no moral influence,
nor any connection with morality, but what it may
derive in a diftant way from the nature of the ac-
tions which the poet or actors choofe to reprefent,
or the fpe£tators are willing to fee. Every perfon
who thinks impartially, may be from this convinced,
that to pleafe, or attempt to do fo, is eflential to
the ftage, and its firft, or rather its main defign ;
how far it pollutes or purifies is accidental, and muft
depend upon the fkill and honefty of its regulators
and managers.
Having thus prepared the way, the following
arguments are humbly offered to the confitleration
of every ferious peribn, to fhew, that a public
theatre is inconfiftent with the purity of the Chrif-
tain profeffion: which if they do not to all appear
to be each of them fmgly conclufive, will I hope,
when taken together, fuiTiciently evince the truth
of the propofition.
In xhzfrj} place. If it be confidered as an a-
mufementj it is improper, and not fuch as any
54 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
Chriftian may lawfully ufe. Here we muft begin
by laying it down as a fundamental principle, that
ill men are bound fupremely to love, and habitual-
ly to ferve God ; that is to fay, to take his law as
the rule, and his glory as the end, not of one, but
of all their actions. No man, at any time or place
is, nor can be, abfolved from this obligation.
Every real Chriftian lives under an habitual fenfe of
it. I know this expreflion, aiming at the glory of
God, is called a cant phrafe, and is defpifed and
derided by worldly men. It were eafy, however, to
vindicate it from reafon; but it will fufhce, to all
thofe for whofe ufe this difcourfe is intended, to
lay, it is a truth taught and repeated in the facred
oracles, that all things were made for, that all
things fhall finally tend to, and therefore, that all
intelligent creatures fhould fupremely and uniform-
ly aim at the glory of God.
Now, we glorify God by cultivating holy dif-
pofitions, and doing pious and ufeful a6Vions. Re-
creation is an intermiilion of duty, and is only ne-
ceffary becaufe of our weaknefs ; it muft be fome
action indifferent in its nature, which becomes law-
ful and ufeful from its tendency to refrefh the mind
and invigorate it for duties of more importance.
The ufe of recreation is precifely the fame as the
ufe of fleep ; though they differ in this, that there
Is but one way in which fleep becomes finful, viz.
by excefs, whereas there are ten thoufand ways in
which recreations become finful. It is needlefs to
produce paffages of Scripture 'to verify the above
aiTertion concerning our obligation to glorify God.
It is the language of the whole, and is particularly
npplied to indifferent aftions by the apoftlc Paul,
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 55
I Cor. x. 13. " Whether therefore ye eat or drink,
u or whatfoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
If there were on the minds of men in general, a
juft fenfe of this their obligation, ftage-plays, nay,
and a thoufand other amufements now in life, would
never have been heard of. The truth is, the need
of amufement is much lefs than people commonly
apprehend, and, where it is not neceffary, it muft
be finful. Thofe who ftand in need of recreation
may be divided into two forts, fuch as are employed
in bodily labour, and fuch as have their fpirits
often exhaufted by fludy and application of mind.
As to the firft of thefe, a mere ceffation from la-
bour is fufficient for refrefhment, and indeed of it-
felf gives great pleafure, unlefs when the appetites
are inflamed and irritated by frequent fenfual grati-
fications; and then they are importunately craved,
and become neceflary to fill the intervals of work.
Of this fort very few are able to afford fo expenfive
a recreation as the ftage. And even as to the other,
viz. thofe whofe fpirits are exhaufted by application
of mind, only a very fmall number of them will
chufe the diverfion of the ftage, for this very good
reafon, that focial converfe and bodily exercife, will
anfwer the purpofe much better. Indeed, if we
confider the juft and legitimate end of recreations,
and compare it with the perfons who mod fre-
quently engage in them, we (hall find, that ninety-
nine of every hundred are fuch as do not need re-
creation at all. Perhaps their time lies heavy upon
their hands, and they feel an uneafinefs and impa-
tience under their prefent ftate ; but this is not
from work, but from idlenefs, and from the empti-
56 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
ncfs and unfatisfying nature of the enjoymc
which they chafe with fo much eagernefs, one after
another, vainly feeking from them that good which
they do not contain, and that fatisfa&ion which
they cannot impart.
From this I think it undeniably appears, that if
no body were to attend the ftage, but fuch as really
needed recreation or amufement, upon Chriftian
principles, and of thcfe fuch only as were able to
pay for it, and of thefe only fuch as did themfelvcs
chufe it, there is not a place this day in the world
fo large as to afford a daily audience. It will be
immediately objected, This argument, make as
much of it as you pleafe, is not complete, for it
hinders not but that fome, however few, may at-
tend in a proper manner, and with warrantable
views. But let it be remembered, that I attack not
a play fingly as a play, nor one perfon for being a
witnefs to a thing of that nature, but the ftage as a
fyftem containing all the branches I have enumerat-
ed above. This cannot fubfift without a full audi-
ence, and frequent attendance; and therefore is, by
its conflitution, a conftant and powerful invitation
to fin, and cannot be maintained but by the com-
miflion of it. Perhaps fome will ftill obje&, that
this argument is too finely fpun, that it feems to
demand perfection, and to find fault with every
practice, in which there is a probability that fin
will be committed. That, if this holds, we fhould
no more contribute to the eftablifhrnent of churches
than play-houfes, becaufe we have a moral certainty,
that no congregation ever will meet together on
earth, but much fin will be committed, both by
1
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 57
minifter and people. But there is a great difference
between a commanded duty which is attended *vith
fin by defect, and what is no where commanded,
which neceflarily invites to fin by its nature, and
is in fubftance finful to the great majority of thofe
who attend it.
But further, the ft age is an improper, that is to
fay, an unlawful recreation to all without excep-
tion, becaufe it confumes too much time. This is
a circumftaiice, which, however little impreflion it
may make upon thofe who find their time often
a burden, will appear of the greateft moment to
every ferious Chriftian. In proportion as any man
improves in holinefs of heart, he increafes in ufe-
fulnefs of life, and acquires a deeper and ftronger
fenfe of the worth and value of time. To fpend
an hour unprofitably, appears to fuch a perfon a
greater crime, than to many the commiflion of
grofs fin. And, indeed, it ought to appear very
heinous in the eyes of thofe who believe the repre-
fentation given by our Lord Jefus Chrift, of his
own procedure at the day of judgment, " Caft
ye the unprofitable fervant into utter dark-
nefs •, there (hall be weeping, and wailing, and
gnafhing of teeth." Matt. xxv. 30. Mark this, ye
lovers of pleafure, ye fons of gaiety and mirth,
who imagine you are fent into the world for no higher
end than your own entertainment; and who, if you
are free from, or able any how to palliate your
grofler fins, never once reflect on the heavy account
againft you of wafted time !
Though there were no other ohje£lion againft
the ftage as a recreation, but this one, it is furely
Vol. VI. F
58 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
faulty. If recreations are only lawful becaufe ne-
ceflary, they mult ceafe to be lawful when they are
no longer neceflary. The length and duration of re-
gular comedy and tragedy is already fixed and fettled
by rules of long (landing; and I fuppofe, whatever
other circumftance may beconfefied to need reforma-
tion, all men of tafte will agree, that thefe fhall con-
tinue as they are. Now I leave to all who know how
much time the preparation for fuch a public ap-
pearance, and the neceflary attendance, muft take
up, to judge, whether it is not too much to be
given to mere recreation.
This holds particularly in the cafe of recreation
of mind, between which and bodily exercife there
is a very great difference. For bodily exercife in
fome cafes, for example, when the health requires
it, may be continued for a long time, only for this
reafon, that it may have effetts lafting in propor-
tion to the time fpent in it. But giving the mind
to pleafure by way of recreation mud be ihort, or
it is certainly hurtful ; it gives men a habit of idle-
nefs and trifling, and makes them averfe from re-
turning to any thing that requires ferious applica-
tion. So true is this, and fo applicable to the prc-
fent cafe, that I could almoft reft the whole argu-
ment upon it, that no man, who has made the trial,
can deliberately and with a good confeience affirm,
that attending plays has added ftrength to his mind
and warmth to his affe&ions, in the duties of de-
votion > that it has made him more able and will-
ing to exert his intellectual powers in the graver
and more important offices of the Chriftian life ;
nay, or even made him more diligent and active in
;he bufinefs of civil life. On the contrary, it is
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 59
commonly of fuch length as to produce a fatiety
and wearinefs of itfelf, and to require reft and re-
frefhment to recruit the exhaufted fpirits, a thing
quite abfurd and felf-contradictory in what is called
a recreation.
But the ftage is not merely an unprofitable con-
fumption of time, it is further improper as a recrea-
tion, becaufe it agitates the pafiions too violently,
and interefts too deeply, fo as, in fome cafes, to
bring people into a real, while they behold an im-
aginary diftrefs. Keeping in view the end of re-
creation, will enable us to judge rightly of this. It
is to refrefh and invigorate the mind. — Therefore
when, inftead of reft, which is properly called re-
laxation of mind, recreations are ufed, their excel-
lence confifts in their being, not only a pleafant,
but an eafy exercife of the intellectual powers.
Whatever is difficult, and either requires or caufes
a ftrong application of mind, is contrary to their in-
tention. Now it is plain, that dramatic reprefenia-
tions fix the attention fo very deeply, and intereft
the affections fo very ftrongly, that, in a little time,
they fatigue the mind themfelves, and however ea-
gerly they are defired and followed, there are many
ferious and ufeful occupations, in which men will
continue longer, without exhaufting the fpirits, than
in attending the theatre.
Indeed, in this refpect they arc wholly contrary
to what Ihould be the view of every Chriftian. He
ought to fet bounds to, and endeavour to moderate
his pqflions as much as poflible, inftead of voluntarily
and unnecefiarily exciting them. The human paf-
fions, fince the fall, are all of them but too ftro: ,
F2
Co A SERIOUS INQJJIRY INTO THE
and are not finful on account of their weaknefs, but
their excefs and misapplication. This is fo general-
ly true, that it hardly admits of an exception •, un-
lefs it might be counted an exception, that fome
vicious paffions, when they gain an afcendancy, ex-
ringuifli others which oppofe their gratification.
For, though religion is confiftent throughout, there
are many vices, which are mutually repugnant to
and deftructive of, each other. But this exception
has little or no effe£t upon the prefent argument.
Now the great care of every Chriftian, is to keep
has paffions and affections within due bounds, and
to dire£i them to their proper objects. With re-
ipe£t to the firft of thefe, the chief influence of
theatrical representations upon the fpedtator, is to
ftrengthen the paffions by indulgence ; for there
they are all exhibited in a lively manner, and fuch
as is mod fit to communicate the impreflion. As
to dire£t them to their proper objects, it will be
afterwards (hewn, that the ftage has rather the con*
trary effe£t \ in the mean time, it is Sufficient to
obferve, that it may be done much more effectually,
and much more fafely another way.
This tendency of plays to intereft the afFe&ions,
ihews their impropriety as a recreation on another
account. It (hews that they mud be exceeding
liable to abufe by excefs, even fuppofing them in a
certain degree to be innocent. It is certain there
is no life more unworthy of a man, hardly any n.
criminal in a Chriftian, than a life of perpetual
amufement, a life where no valuable purpofe is
purfued, but the intellectual faculties wholly em-
ployed in purchasing and indulging fenfual gratifica-
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 6l
lions. It is alfo certain, that all of us are by nature
too much inclined thus to live to ourfelves, and not
to God. Therefore, where recreations are neceflary,
a watchful Chriftian will particularly beware of
thofe that are infnaring, and, by being too grateful
and delicious, ready to lead to excefs. This dif-
criminating care and caution, is juft as much the
duty of a Chriftian, as any that can be named.
Though it is immediately converfant only about the
temptations and incitements to fin, and not the
a&ual commiflion of it, it becomes a duty directly
binding, both from the command of God, and the
neceflity of the thing itfelf. " Watch and pray,
that ye enter not into temptation," Mat. xxvi. 41.
fays our Saviour to all his difciples ; and elfe-
where, " What I fay unto you, I fay unto all,
Watch," Mark xiii. 37. And the apoftle Paul to
the fame purpofe, u See then that ye walk circum-
fpeftly, not as fools, but as wife, redeeming the
time, becaufe the days are evil," Eph. v. 15.
If we confider the light in which the Scripture
fets our prefent fituation, and the account there
given of the weaknefs of human refolution, the
fame thing will evidently appear to be our duty.
It is impoiTible that we can refift the flightefl
temptation, but by the afTiftance of divine grace.
Now how can this be expected, if we put our
conftancy \o unneceflTary trials, not only contrary
to reafon, and a prudent regard to our own fifety,
but in the face of an exprefs command of God to
be watchful. " Lord, lead us not into tempta-
tion," is a petition which we are taught to offer up,
by him who knew what was in man. But how
F3
6l A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
much do thofe act in oppofition to this, and even
in contempt of it, who make temptations to theni-
felves. And are not ftage-plays temptations of the
ftrongeft kind, in which the mind is foftened with
pleafure, and the affections powerfully excite
How little reafon is there to hope that men in the
life of them will keep within the bounds of modera-
tion ? If any expe£t, in fuch eircumftances, to be
preferved by divine power, they are guilty of the
lln, which is in Scripture called " tempting God."
It is this very circumftance, a liablenefs to abufe
by excefs, that renders many other amufements al-
io ordinarily unlawful to Chriftians, though, per-
haps, in their general nature, they cannot be {hewn
to be criminal. Thus it is not eafy to refute the
reafonings, by which ingenious men endeavour to
fhew that games of hazard are not in themfelves
finful; but by their enticing, infnaring nature, and
the excefs which almoit inieparably accompanies
them, there can be no difficulty in pronouncing
them highly dangerous, lawful to very few perfons,
and in very few cafes. And if they were as public
in their nature as plays, if they required the con-
currence of as many operators, and as great a num-
ber of perfons to join in them, I could have little
fcruple in affirming, that in every pollible cafe, they
would be fiofuL
The preceding considerations are greatly confirm-
ed by the following, That when plays are chofen as
a recreation, for winch they are io exceedingly ma-
proper, it is always in oppofition to other methous of
recreation, which are perKtby fit for n.e purj
and nut uabie to any oi theie objections. \Yiitre
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 63
recreations are neceffary, if there were only one
fort to be had, fome inconveniencies could not be
fo ftrong an argument againft the ule of them. But
where there are different kinds, to prefer thefe
which are lefs, to thofe which are more fit, mufi
needs be finful. Such a tendernefs and circum-
fpe&ion is indeed, in this age, fo rare and unufual,
that I am afraid, it will be almoft impoinble to fix
a fenfe of its importance upon the mind of the read-
er : or, if it be done, in any meafure for a time,
the example of a corrupt world, who are altogether
void of it, will immediately efface the impreffion.
But, however few may " have ears to hear it," the
thing is certain, that as the progrefs of his fan&ifi-
cation is the fupreme defire and care of every Chrif-
tian, fo he is continually liable to be feduced by
temptation, and infected by example; and therefore,
from a diftruft of his own refoiution, will not vo-
luntarily and unneceflarily prefer a dangerous to a
fafe amufement. To prefer a very difficult and doubt-
ful means of attaining any worldly end, to one fure
and eafy; to prefer a clumfy improper inftrument,
to one perfectly fit for any piece of work, would be
reckoned no fmall evidence of folly in the affairs of
civil life. If one in ficknefs fhouid chufe a medicine
of a very questionable nature, ot very dangerous and
uncertain operation, when he had equal accefs to
one entirely fafe, of approved reputation and fupe-
rior efficacy, it would be eiteemed next to madnefs.
Is there not then a reai conformity between the
cafes ? Is not a like care to be taken ot our fouls
as of our bodies ? Nay, is not the obhgatk n fo
much the ftrongcr, oy how much the one El of great-
64 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
er value than the other ? The different conduct of
men, and their different fate in this refpeft, is well
defcribed by the wife man, " happy is the man
that feareth always, but he that hardeneth his heart
Ihall fall into mifchief," Prov. xxviii. 14.
It ought not to be omitted in (hewing the impropri-
ety of the ftage as a recreation and amufement for
Chriftians, that it is coftly and expenfive, and that
this coft is altogether unneceflary, fince the end
might be obtained, not only as well, but much bet-
ter, at a far cheaper rate ; perhaps, in mod cafes,
at no expence at all. I know this argument will be
treated with great contempt by thofe who live in af-
fluence, and know no other ufe of riches but to
feed their appetites, and make all the reft of man-
kind fubfervient to the gratification of their violent
and ungovernable defires. But though none in this
world have any title to hinder them from difpofing
of their wealth as they pleafe, they muft be called
to confider, that they have a mafter in heaven. To
him they muft render an account at the laft day,
and, in this account, the ufe that they make of
their riches is not to be excepted. The great have,
no doubt, the diftinguifhed honour, if they pleafe to
embrace it, of contributing to the happinefs of
multitudes under them, and difpenfing, under God,
a great variety of the comforts of this life. But it
would abate the envy and impatience of the lower
part of the world, and moderate their appetite after
riches, if they would confider, that the more that is
committed to them, the more they have to account
for. The greatcft and richeft mail on earth hath
not any licence in the word of God, for an un-
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE SATGE 65
cecefFary wafte of his fubftance, or confuming it in
unprofitable and hurtful pieafures •, and under the
one or both of thefe characters, that muft fall, that
is laid out upon the ftage.
Let not any reader, who cannot find a fatisfying
anfwer to thefe objections againft the ftage as an
unchriftian amufement, from the word of God, take
the practice of the world as a refuge or fanctuary,
and fay, This is carrying matters to an extreme \ if
thefe maxims are rigidly adhered to, you will ex-
clude from the number of Chriftians, not only the
far greater part of mankind, but many other wife of
excellent and amiable charadters. Though this is
the weakeft of. all arguments, it is, perhaps, that
which hath of all others the ftrongeft effect, and
mofl powerfully contributes to fet people's minds at
eafe in a doubtful or dangerous practice. How hard
is it to make men fenfible of the evil of fuch fins as
cuftom authorifes and fafliion juftifies ! There is no
making them afliamed of them, becaufe they are
common and reputable, and there is no making
them afraid of what they fee done without fufpi-
cion by numbers on every hand. But is there any
reaibn to believe, that the example of others will
prove a juft and valid excufe for any practice at the
judgment feat of Chrift ? Will the greatnefs or the
number of offenders fcreen them from his power?
Or can that man expect a gracious acceptance with
him, who lias fuffered his commands to be qualifi-
ed by prevailing opinion, and would not follow hiftt
farther than the bulk of mankind would bear him
company.
I (hall clofe the reflections upon this part of the
fubject by obferving, that there are tw
66 A SERICUS INQUIRY INTO THE
characters of the difciples of Chrift, which will ap-
pear, if we confult the fcriptures, to be effential
to them, and which feem altogether inconfiftent
with theatrical amufements. The firft is felf-denial
and mortification. Though we fhould not infift
upon the particular objections againft the ftage,
there is fomething of pomp and gaiety in it, on the
bed poffible fuppofition, that is inconfiftent with the
character of a Chriitian. The gofpel is the reli-
gion of finners who are faved from wrath by the
rich mercy and free grace of God. The life of fuch
then, mud be a life of penitence, humility and mor-
tification. The followers of a crucified Saviour
muft bear the crofs, and tread in the fame path of
fuffering and felf-denial, in which he hath gone be-
fore them. In their baptifmal covenant they re-
nounce the world, by which is not meant fuch grofs
crimes as are a violation of natural light, as well as
a tranfgreflion of the law of God, but that exceflive
attachment to prefent indulgence, which is more
properly exprefled by the pomp and vanity of the
world *. It is true there are many precepts in
* It is not improper here to consider the ancient form of
baptism, and what was supposed by the fathers to be im-
plied in it, Apost. Const, lib. 7. cap. 41. Apotassomat to
sat ana j &c. " I renounce Satan and his works, and his
pomps, and his service, and his angels, and his inventions,
and nil things that belong to him, or are subject to him."
Ambros. de Initiatis. Ingressus es regenerationis sacrari-
um, cSic. — " Thou hast entered into the holy place of re-
generation ; repeat what you were there asked, and recol-
lect what you answered. You renounced the devil, and
his works, and his world, and his luxury and pleasure
Hieron. Com. in Matt. xv. 26- Renuntio tibi diabole, &c.
" 1 renounce thee, Satan, and thy pomp, and thy vices,
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE, 67
Scripture, which require us to maintain an habit-
ual gratitude and thankful frame of fpirit, nay, to
rejoice in the Lord alway. But there is a great dif-
ference between this joy, and that of worldly men;
as they do not rife from the fame fource, fo they
cannot poiTibly exprefs themfelves in the fame way.
Another branch of the Chriftian tern er, between
which and theatrical amufements, there appears a
very great oppofition, is fpirituality and heaven-
linefs of mind. All real Chriftians are, and account
themfelves pilgrims and flrangers on the earth, fet
their affections on things above, and have their con-
verfation in heaven. Whatever tends to weaken
thefe difpofitions, they will carefully avoid, as con-
trary to their duty and their intereft. Is not this
the cafe with theatrical amufements ? Are they not
and thy world, which lieth in wickedness." And that
wc may know what they had particularly in view by the
pomps of the world which they renounced, they are some-
times expressly said to be the public shows. Thus Salvian
de Provident, lib. 6. page 197, Q,uae est enim in baptis-
mo, &c. " For what is the first profession of a Christian
in baptism ? What, but that they profess to renounce the
I, and his pomps, his shows, and his works. There-
fore shows and pomps, by our own confession, are the
works of the devil. How, O Christian, wilt thou fol-
low the public shows after baptism, which thou confessest
to be the works of the devil r"
There are some who pretend, that Christians were only
kept from the shows, because they were mixed with idola-
trous rites; but it is to be noted, that in the time of Syl-
vian, idolatry was abolished, and the shows were no long-
diibited in honour of idol gods. Cyril of Jerusalem
, after idolatry was destroyed; continues the charge
against the show
68 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
v delicious to a fenfual and carnal mind ? Do
they not excite, gratify, and flrengthen thefe af-
fections, which it is mod the bufineK of a Chriit-
ian to reftrain ? Are not the indulgence of worldly
pleafure, and heavenlinefs of mind, mutually de-
ftructive of each other? This is fo plain, that ancient-
ly thofe who gave themfelves up to a life of eminent
holinfs and piety, ufed to retire wholly from the
commerce of the world and the fociety of men.
Though this was wrong in itfeif, and foon found
be very liable to fuperftitious abufe, it plainly
fhews how much they err upon the oppofite fide,
who being called to wean their affe&ions from the
world, do yet voluntarily and unneceflarily indulge
htemfelves in the mod delicious and intoxicating
pleafures.
What is offered above, I hope, will fuffice to (hew
that the ftage, confidered fimply as an entertain-
ment, cannot be lawfully ufed by a Chriftian. But
we mud now proceed in the fecond place, to con-
fider the modern pretence, that it is ufeful and in-
ftrucUve ; or, to fpeak in the language of one of
its defenders, " A warm incentive to virtue, and
powerful prefervative againft vice *." The fame
author gives us this account of tragedy : u True
tragedy is a ferious lecture upon our duty, fhorter
than an epic poem, and longer than a fable, other-
wife differing from both only in the method, which
is dialouge inftead of narration ; its province is to
bring us in love with the more exalted virtues, and
• Remarks on Anderson's Positions concerning the un-
law Fulness of stage-plays.
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE, 6k)
to create a deteftation of the blacker and (humanly
fpeaking) more enormous crimes." On comedy he
fays, H An infinuating mirth laughs us out of ouv
frailtes by making us afhamed of them. Thus,
when they are well intended, tragedy and comedy
work to one purpofe, the one manages us as child-
ren, the other convinces us as men."
In order to treat this part of the *fubje£t with
precifion, I mud beg the reader to recal to mind the
account formerly given of what is implied in the
ftage, even under the beft poifibte regulation; be-
caufe, unlefs this be allowed me, I confefs the argu-
ment to be defective. It is not denied, that there
may be, and are to be found, in fome dramatic per-
formances, noble and excellent fentiments. Thefe
indeed are much fewer than is commonly fuppofed,
as might be fhewn by an examination of fome of
the mod celebrated plays. There is a great differ-
ence between the fhining thoughts that are applaud-
ed in the world by men of tafte, and the folid and
profitable truths of religion. However, it is allow-
ed, that there are fome things to be found in plays,
againft which no juft objection can be made; and
it is eafy to form an idea of them (till more pure
than any that do yet exifl •, but the queftion is,
Whether it is poflible now to find, or reasonable to
hope to find, fuch a number of pieces, in their pre-
vailing tendency, agreeable to the holinefs and
purity of the Chriftian character, as are neceflary
to fupport a public theatre ? Till this is accompliih-
ed, all that is done to fupport the theatre in the
mean time, is done to fupport the intereft of vice
and wickednefs •, whatever it may be in itfelf, and
Vol. VI. G
SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
fingly confulered. And if fuch an entire reforma-
in be impofliblc, a partial reformation, or mixing a
>od things with it, is not only ineffectual, but
hurtful. It makes a bad caufe a little more plaufi-
ble, and therefore the temptation fo much the more
formidable.
There is a difcourfe of a foreigner of fome note,
in which he exerts all his eloquence in commendation
of plays, when ufed in the public fchools, for the
improvement of youth in action and elocution, under
the direction of their mafters. As this gentleman
was a clergyman, his authority is often ufed on this
fabjefh But it ought to be obferved, that as he
was a young man when he employed his eloquence
in this caufe, fo, what he fays, ftrongly fupports
the propriety of the diftin£tion I have laid down,
lie exprefsly confines the argument to fuch plays as
were prefented by youths in the fchools, and rejects
with great abhorrence the public ftage, and fuch as
were acted by mercenary players. Of the laft fort
hath t!>e following ftrong words. " At hie
" verecr A. ne qui fint inter vos qui ex me qux-
:n : Quid agis adolefcens ? Tune comoedos,
" Iliftricncs, mimos, ex eloquentix ftudiofis facere
u paras? Egone? Hiftriones? Quos? An viles illos
u qui in fcenam prodeunt mercede condu£ti ? Qui
a quxitus caufa quamlibet perfonam induant? Qui
44 paffim per urbes vagantes artem fuam venalem
Qui, mcrito, Romano jure, infamia
u notanturr Abiit, a me abfit, ut in hac im-
teneros adolefcentium nnimos elo-
mi velim. Quanticunque earn facio,
.en DOI1 eft« Satius cfiet balbutire, imo
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 7 1
" fatius mutum effe, quam non fine fummo animi,
« periculo eloquentiam difcere *." Which paffage
may be tranflated thus^ « But here I am afraid fome -
" of you will he ready to challenge me, and to fay,
" what is this you aim at, young man ? Do you
" intend to make all who ftudy eloquence com-
" edians, players, buffoons? Do I indeed? What
" fort of players ? Thofe contemptible wretches,
" who are hired to come upon the ftage, and who
M for gain will perfonate any character whatever ?
" "Who go about through different cities making
" merchandize of their art ? Who are juftly rnark-
rt ed with infamy in the Roman law? Far, far
u be it from me to propofe, that the tender minds
u of youth mould be taught eloquence in this
" fchool of impiety. However much I value it, I
" value it not at this rate. Better it were they
" mould ftammer in fpeech, nay, better that they
" were dumb and incapable of fpeech, than that
M they fhould learn the art of eloquence, by putting
" their fouls in the mofl imminent danger." Now,
whether this author's fcheme was right or not, I
have no occafion at pre fen t to debate with him as
an adverfary, for he rejects with abhorrence the
imputation of favouring the caufe againft which I
plead.
When a public theatre is defended as a means o(
iqftruclion, I cannot help thinking it is of impor-
tance to obferve, that it is a method altogether uu-
commanded and unauthorized in the word of God.
'ihis will probably appear a very weak argument to
many, but it will not appear fo to thofe who have a
* Werenfels 0;;>tio do Cc::
G 2
71 A SERIOUS INQJJIRY INTO THE
firm belief of, and a juft efteem for that book of
life. Such will not expect, that any method will
prove effectual to make men " wife unto falva-
tion," without the blefling of God, and they will
hardly be induced to look for this blefling upon the
ftage. And let it be remembered, that it is now
pleaded for in a higher light, and on a more im-
portant account, than merely as an amufement, viz.
as proper to fupport the intereft of religion ; it
ihouid therefore have a pofitive warrant before it be
employed in this caufe, left it mould meet with
the fame reception that all other human devices will
meet with, " Who hath required thefe things at
your hands ?"
And that none may ufe a delufory fort of reafoning,
and fhift from one pretence to another, faying, it
becomes a lawful amufement by its tendency to in-
itruct, and an effectual inftruelion by its power to
pleafe at the fame time ; it mufl be obferved, that
a finful amufement is not to be indulged on any
pretence whatfoever; for we muft not " do evil,
that good may come." Nay, call it only a danger-
ous amufement, even in that cafe, no pretence of
poffible or probable inftru&ion (though fuch a thing
were not contrary to the fuppofition) is fufficient to
warrant it. Nothing lefs than its being neceflary,
could authorife the practice, and that I hope none
will be fo hardy as to affirm.
It can never be affirmed to be neceflary, without
a blafphemous impeachment of the divine wiulom.
If the holy fcriptures, and the methods there autho-
rifed and appointed, are full an,d fufficient for our
fpiritual improvement, all others muft be wholly
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 73
unneceffary. And if they are the mod powerful
and the mofl effectual means, no others mud be
fuffered to come into rivalfhip and competition
with them •, on the contrary, they muft be con-
demned as wrong, or laid afide as comparatively
weak. The truth is, the ftage can never be de-
fended on a more untenable footing, than when it
is reprefented as having a moral or virtuous, that is
to fay, a pious or religious tendency. "What Chrif-
tian can hear fuch a plea with patience ? Is the
11 law of the Lord perfect, converting the foul r
Is it able to make the man of God perfect tho-
roughly furnifhed to every good work?" What then
are its defeats which muft be fupplied by the thea-
tre ? Have the faints of God, for fo many ages,
been carried fafely through all the dark and diffi-
cult fteps of their earthly pilgrimage, with his law
as a " light to their feet, and a lamp to their path,"
and yet is it now neceflary, that they mould have
additional illumination from a well regulated ftage ?
Have there been for fo long a time paftors employee!,
bearing a divine commrffion ? ordinances adminil-
tered according to divine inftitution ? Have thefe
been hitherto effectual for " perfecting the faint.;,
for the work of the miniftry, and for edifying the
body of Chrift ?" And {hall we not count them
among the fcofFers that were to come in the hit
days, who pretend to open a new commiflion f r
the players to aflift ? If any fhall fay, there needs
no divine inftitution, all men are called to inftr
one another, " the lips of the righteous fhould 1
many," and this way of the drama is but a mode
of the inftruction we all owe to one another ? I
<^3
74 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
nnfwer, it is as a mode I attack it. This very mode
has been (hewn to be dangerous, nay fulfill* as an
amufement *, who then can (hew its neccflity, in
the fame mode, for inftrudtion or improvement ?
If the ftage be a proper method of promoting
the interefts of religion, then is Satan's kingdom
divided againft itfelf, which he is more cunning
than to fuffer it to be. For whatever debate there
be, whether good men may attend the theatre,
there can be no queftion at all, that no openly vi-
cious man, is an enemy to it, and that far the greateft
part of them do paflionately love it. I fay no
openly vicious man \ for doubtlefs there may be
fome hypocrites wearing the habit of the Chriiliaa
pilgrim, who are the very word of men, and yet
y fhew abundance of zeal againft the ftage. But
nothing is more certain than that taking the world
according to its appearance, it is the worft part of
it that fhews moft paffion for this entertainment,
■and the beft that avoids and fears it, than which
there can hardly be a worfe fign of it, as a means
of doing good. Whoever believes the following
words of our blefled Redeemer, will never be per-
fuaded that poets and actors for the ftage have re-
ceived any commiflion to fpeak in his name. " My
i'hecp hear my voice, and I know them, and they
follow me, John x. 27 — A ftranger will they not
follow, but will flee from him, for they know not
die voice of ftrangcrs," John x. 5.*
* It is to be observed here, to prevent mistakes, that
the argument is founded on the general and prevailing in-
tion of the, greatest part of each character, and not
1 particular instances, in many of wbjcb it is confes-
NATURE AKD EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 75
This leads us to obferve, that the ftage igjn
only, ail improper, method of inftruction, but that
all, or the far greateft number of pieces there re-
presented, muft have, upon the whole, a pernicious
tendency. This is evident, becaufe they muft be
.to the taite and relifh of the bulk of thofe who
attend it. The difficulty of getting good authors
for the theatre, I {hall not infift upon, but what-
ever the authors are able or willing to do, it is cer-
tain, that their productions in fact can rife no
higher in point of purity, than the audience (hall
be willing to receive. Their attendance is not con-
ftrained, but voluntary ; nay they pay dearly for
their entertainment : and therefore they muft, and
will have it to their taite. This is a part of the
fubject that merits the particular attention of all
who are inclined to judge impartially, and it proves
in the ftrongeft manner, the abfurdity of forming
seel, it will not hold. For, as it is difficult to know the
real character of some persons, in whom there are some
marks and signs of true religion, and at the same time,
some symptoms of unsoundness, so it is still more difficult
to determine the quality of single actions. Therefore, it is
little or no argument that any practice is safe or good,
because one good man, or one supposed to be good, has been
known to do it ; on the contrary, ill, because one bad
man has been known to do it. But as, when we retire
further from the limit that divides them, the characters
are more clearly and sensibly distinguished, so, whatever
practice is passionately desired by wicked men in geih
and shunned by the good, certainly is of bad tendency. If it
were otherwise, as said above, " Satan's kingdom would be
divided against itself," and the God " who keepeth cove-
nant and truth for ever," would fail in his promise, of
u giving" his people " counsel," and " teaching them the
way In v.h'ch they ought to walk."
7^ A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
chimerical fuppofitions of a ftage fo regulated, as,
inftcad of being hurtful, to promote the intereft of
piety and- virtue.
Here let fome truths be called to mind which
arc frequently mentioned in the holy Scriptures,
but feldom recollected, and their confequences very
little attended to. There is a diftinefcion often
ftated, both in the old and new Teftament, between
•the children of God and the men of the world'.
Thefe are mixed together in the prefent ftate, and
cannot, in many cafes, be certainly diftinguifhed
by their outward appearance ; yet is there at bottom
not only a real diftindtion of character, but a per-
fect, opposition between them, as to the command-,
ing principle of all their actions. And as there is an
oppofition of character between them, fo there muft
be an oppofition of interefts and views. Our bleff-
ed Redeemer, when he came into the world, was
" defpifed and rejected of men :" and he every
where tells his difciples, that they muft expeS no
better treatment. Matt. v. n, 12. " Blefled are
ye when men fhall revile you, and perfecutc you,
and fhall fay all manner of evil againft you falfely,
for my fake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad : for
great is your reward in heaven ; for fo perfecuted.
they the prophets that were before you." And on
the other hand, Luke vi. 26. " Wo unto you when
all men {hall fpeak well of you, for fo did their
fathers to the falfe prophets." Again, John xv.
19. " If ye were of the world, the world would
love his own ; but becaufe ye are not of the world,
but I have chofen you out of the world, therefore
the world hateth you." His apoftles fpeak always
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 77
in the fame language : thus the apoftle Paul, Rom.
xii. 2. " And be not conformed to this world."
Nay, he lays it down as an univerfal pofition,
2 Tim. iii. 12. " Yea, and all that will live godly in
Chrift Jefus (hall fuller perfecution." Now I afk,
Whether thofe who have a flrong and rooted aver-
fion to true holinefs, which is not the character of
the fmcere Chriflian, will voluntarily crowd to the
theatre, to hear and fee fuch performances as
breathe nothing but what is agreeable to the pure
and uncorrupted word of God ? Will thofe who
revile, injure, and perfecute the faints themfelves,
delight in the ftage, if honour is there put upon true
religion, and be pleafed with that character in the
reprefentation which they hate in the original ?
This would be to expect impoflibilities. And
therefore, while the great majority of thofe who at-
tend the ftage are unholy, it is certain, that the
plays which they behold with pleaiure, cannot,
upon the whole, but have a criminal tendency.
If any alledge, that the poet's art may be a
means to make religion amiable to them, I anfwer,
that he cannot make it amiable, but by adulteration,
by mixing it with fomething agreeable to their own
tafte •, and then it is not religion that they admire,
but the erroneous, debafed, and falfe refemblance
of it. Or even fuppofing, that, in a fingle imtance
or two, nothing in fubftance fhould be fet before
them but true religion, and this drefled to the very
bighefi advantage by the poet's genius and actor's
(kill, there would be little gained : becaufe thefe
human arts only would be the objeel: of their ad-
miration, and they would always prefer^ and (peed*
7& A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
ly procure, a difplay of the fame arts, upon a fub-
jeft more agreeable to their corrupt minds. This
indeed, we are not left to gather by way of in-
ference and dedu&ion from other truths, but are
exprefsly taught it in the word of God. For " the
natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit
of God : for they are fooliihnefs unto him, neither
can he know them, becaufe they are fpiritually dif-
cerned." i Cor. ii. 14. Experience is a ftrong proof
of this. For if any man will take the pains of mak-
ing up a fyftem of the morality of the ftage, I do
not mean the horrid profanity, and fcandalous
obfeenity, that is to be found in the word, but of
that which is called virtue in the beft of the pieces
wrote for the theatre, he will find it exceeding
different from Chriftian morals ; and, that an ad-
. herence to it would be, in moft inftances, a wilful
departure from the rules of a holy life.
However plainly this is founded upon the word of
God, and found reafon, there are fome very unwill-
ing to think, that ever their duty as Chriftians fhould
conftrain them to be at odds with the delicacies of
life, or the polite and fafhionable pleafures of the
age. And, as the mind of man is very ingenious
in the defence of that pollution which it loves, they
fometimes bring in criticifm to their aid. They
alledge, that by the "world" is underftood, general-
ly through the New Teftament, thofe who were
ithens by profeflion; and that the fame oppofition
to true religion, in judgment and heart, is not to be
ribed to thofe who are members of the vifible
church. It is anfwered, the word did indeed fignify
as they fay, for this plain reafon, that in the early
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STACE. 79
days of Christianity, whenjt was under persecution,
few or none would make profeflion of it, unlefs they
did really believe it. But is not the meaning (till the
fame? Can we fuppofe that the hatred of the then
world, was at the name of religion only, and not at
the fubftance ? Was the devil " the prince of this
world" then? and has he not now equal dominion
over, and is he not equally ferved by thofe who are
profane in their lives, though they were once bap-
tifed ? Was he the fpirit that " then worked," and
is he not the fpirit that " now works," in the child-
ren of difobedience ? The truth therefore remains
ftill the fame; thofe who are in a natural and unre-
generate ftate, who hate true religion in their hearts,
mufl have fomething very different before they can
be pleafed with feeing it on the ftage. *
There is an excellent passage to this purpose in an es-
say against plays, to be found in one of the volumes pu-
blished about a hundred 3-ears ago, b}* the gentlemen of
the Port-Royal in France, a society of Jansenists, of gr-
parts and eminent piety. This essay in particular, is by
some said to be written by the prince of-Conti. Section
loth of that essay, he says, " It is so true that plays are
almost always a representation of vicious passions, that the
most part ©f Christian virtues are incapable of appearing
upon the stage. Silence, patience, moderation, wisdc:
poverty, repentance, are no virtues, the representation of
Which can divert the spectator.- .hove all, we never
humility spoken of, and the bearing of injuries. It
would 1 • ;e to see a modest and iie;ious per-
son repT e must be soimthi; . I and re-
no wind according to men, or at
animated, which is not met withal in Christian
I wisdom ; and therefore those who ha
to introduce holy men and women up
tO A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
That this argument may have its proper force, m
ought to confider, how great a proportion of per*
sons under the dominion of vice and wickednefs
there mull always be among thofe who attend the
theatre. The far greateft number of the world in
general are ungodly. This is a fa£t which 'could
hardly be denied, even though the following paflage
had not ftood in the oracles of truth. " Enter ve
in at the (trait gate ; for wide is the gate, and broad
is the way that leadeth to de(tru£tion, and many
there be which go in thereat : Becaufe (trait is the
gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it." Matt. vii. 13, 14. And
as none can attend the ftage, but thofe in higher life,
and more affluent circumftances than the bulk of
mankind, there is (till a greater proportion of them
who are enemies to pure and undefiled religion.
Thus, fays our Saviour to his difciples, " Verily I
fay unto you, that a rich man (hall hardly enter into
the kingdom of heaven. And again I fay unto you,
it is eafier for a camel to go through the eye of a
needle, than for a rich man to enter into the king-
dom of God/' Matt. xix. 23, 24. To the fame
purpofe the apoitle Paul fays, " Ye fee your call-
ing brethren, how that not many wife men after the
flefh, not many mighty, not many noble are call-
ed." 1 Cor. i. 26. This does not at all fuppofe
that thofe in high life are originally more corrupt
in their nature than others, but it arifes from their
been forced to make them appear proud, and to make them
utter discourses more proper for the ancient Roman her
than for saints and martyrs. Their devotion upon the
Stage ought to be always a little extraordinary. "
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 8i
being expofed to much greater and flronger temp-
tations. Now, if from the fmall number of real
Chriftians in the upper ranks of life, we again fub-
tract fuch as count the ftage unlawful or danger-
ous, or have no inclination to it, there will very
few remain of thofe who are " the fait of the earth,"
to feafon the unhallowed alTembly. What fort of pro-
ductions then muft they be, which fhall have the ap-
probation of fuch judges ? How much more fitted
to pollute than to reform, to pdifon than to cure r If
fuch in fact the great bulk of plays have always hi-
therto been, from what has been faid, it ought not
to be wondered at, becaufe it cannot be otherwife.
It is very poflible, that fome may be all this while
holding the argument very cheap, and faying with
lord Shaftefbury, " The true genius is of a nobler
nature than fervilely to fubmit to the corrupt or vi-
tiated tafte of any age or place ; — he works not for
gain, but defpifes it •, — he knows, and will not
fwerve from the truth of art ; he will produce what
is noble and excellent in its kind ; — he will refine
the public ear, and teach them to admire in the
Tight place." Thefe, though I do not cite any par-
ticular paiTage, are all of them fentiments, and mod
of them expredions, of that author fo much admir-
ed among modern philofophers. — But the objection
is eafily folved. The obfervation is allowed to be
juft, and to hold with refpect to the poetic, orato-
■rial, or any human art, becaufe we know of no
higher ftandard in any of thefe, than what human
nature in its prefent itate, will molt admire, when
it is exhibited to view. Accordingly, the great poet
and the great orator, though, through the prevalence
Vol. VI. H
o2 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
of a bad tafte, they may find it difficult at firft to
procure attention, yet they will procure it at laft j
and when they are heard, they carry the prize from
all inferior pretenders : and indeed, their doing fo
is the very touchftone and trial of their art itfelf.
In this cafe there lies no appeal from the judgment
of the public or the multitude (a,s David Hume
has faid for once .according to truth) to the judg-
ment of a wifer few.
But there cannot be any thing more abfurd than
to fuppofe, that the fame thing will hold in morals
and religion. The dramatic poets in Athens, where
the ftage was firft eftablifhed, improved upon one
another, and refined their own tafte, and that of
their audience, as to the elegance of their compofi-
tions. Nay, they foon brought tragedy, as a great
critic * obferves, to as great perfection as the nature
of the thing feems to admit of. But whoever will
from this infer, that they improved in their morals
in the fame proportion, or by that means, will fall
into a very grofs miftake. This indeed feems to be
the great error of modern infidels, to fuppofe that
there is no more in morals than a certain tafte and
fenfe of beauty and elegance. Natural talents in the
human mind are quite diftind from moral difpofi-
tions, and the excellence of the one is no evidence
at all of the prevalence of the other. On the con-
trary, the firft are many times found in the higheft
perfeaion, where there is a total abfence of the laft.
And therefore, that true genius is the object of uni-
verfal approbation, hinders not but that true good-
» i\riatotle.
N ATURE AND EFFECTS OF TFIE STAGE. 83
nefs is the object of general averfion. The Scrip-
ture afiures us, that all men are by nature under
the power of fin, " that every imagination of the
thoughts of man is only evil from his youth, and
that continually," Gen. vi. 5. " That the carnal
mind is enmity againft God, and," till it be renew-
ed by divine grace, " is not fubject to the law of
God, neither indeed can be." Rom. viii. 7.
Now it is utterly impoffible and felf-contradic-
tory, that men mould approve and delight in that
which is contrary to the habitual prevailing temper
of their hearts ; and to bring about a change in
them is not in the power of any human art, but
with the concurrence of the Spirit and grace of
God. In this he has given no authority to the play-
ers to act under him, nay, he has exprefsly told us,
that he will not ordinarly, in any way whatever,
make ufe of the perfection of human art, but of
the plaiheft and weakeft outward means. Thus
the apoftle Paul tells us his Mafter fent him
" to preach the gofpel, not with wifdom of
words, left the crofs of Chrift fhould be made of
none effect." 1 Cor. i. 17. And, " after that in
the wifdom of God, the world by wifdom knew
not God, it pleafed God by the foolifhnefs of preach-
ing to fave them that believe." 1 Cor. i. 21. He
alio profefles that his practice had always been
conformed to this rule. " And I, brethren, when
I came to you, came not with excellency of
fpcech or of wifdom, declaring unto you the
teilimony of God." 1 Cor. ii. I. " Arid my
fj and my | :ng was 1 icing
words of man's wifdom, but in demembration of the
H 2
84 A SEllIOUS I K^UIRY INTO THE
Spirit and of power. That your faith fhould not
ir^nd in the wifdom of men, but in the power of
Hod *." i Cor. ii. 4, 5.
It may be neceflary here to obviate an objection,
that in the holy Scriptures themfelves we find feve-
rtfl paflages which feem to fignify that true religion,
though it is not the choice of all men, is yet the
object of univerfal approbation. Thus we are told,
1 licit " the righteous (hall be in everlafting remem-
nce, but the memory of the wicked Ihall rot."
v, we are exhorted by the apoftle Paul to the
practice of our duty in fuch terms as thefe, " What-
* Perhaps some will ask here, Is then human art, and
*re natural talents, which are the gifts of God, wholly ex-
cluded from his service ? I answer they are not. And yet
the instances of their being eminently useful are exceeding
mre. Such is the imperfection of the human mind that it can
hardly at the same time, give great attention and application
to two distinct subjects ; and therefore, when men give that
::se application to human art, which it is necessary to
bring it to its perfection, they are apt to overlook the pow-
er and grace of God, without which all art is vain and in-
1 tfectual. Agreeably to this, when men of eminent talents
have been of service in religion, it has been commonly by the
ienial, by making a very sparing and mo-
rtt, and shewing themselves so deeply pene-
d with . f the important truths tf the ero 1
.1 despise the beauties and embellishments
of human skill, too great an attention to which is evidj
ly inconsi.-tmt with the other. Wt 1), gay refined observers,
this is the very perfection of art to use it with great reserve,
arnd to keep it out of view as much as possible. And it is
indeed the perfection of art to have the appearance oft!
but it h petotiar to \ l to have it in reality.
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 8$
foever things are true, whatfoever things are lev
whatfoever things are of good report, if there be any
virtue, if there be any praife, think on thefe things."
But thefe muft furely be explained in iuch a manner,
as to be confiftent with the clear and ftrong pafThges
mentioned above ; which it is not difficult I rhe
matter of many good aciions, particulaj cial vir-
tues, the duties of the fecond table of the law, wicked
men do often approve, nay, they may not only fee
fome beauty, but feel fome pleafure in them, from na-
tural, though unfanctified affections leading to them.
But truly good actions, inftances of holy obedience
to God, in their manner, and in the principles from
which they ought to flow, they neither can approve
nor perform.
Nothing can be done agreeable to the will of
God, but what hath the following properties. It
muft be done from a fenfe, not only. of the unalter-
able obligation, but the perfe£t excellence of the
law of God, Rom. vii. 12. renouncing all pretence
of merit in the aftor, Gal ii. 20. Phil, iii.~ 8. •, de-
pending for affiftance entirely on divine ftrengtb,
John xv. 5. ; and with a fingle eye to the divine
glory', 1 Cor. x. 31. 1 Pet. iv. 11. It is not the
matter of an action that renders it truly holy, but
the prevalence of thefe principles in the heart of
the performer. And they are fo far from being
generally approved, that they are hated and defpifed,.
and the very profeffion of mod of them, at lcift, ri-
diculed by every worldly man. The truth is, it is-
not eafy to difcover thefe principles otherwife than
by narration. They lie deep in the heart, they do
not feek to difcover themfelves, and the (hewing
h3
86 a s: o ruff
them on the ftage would be a fort of contradiction
to theit nature. I believe it woukl exceed the
of mod poets or a&ors, to exhibit by outward figns,
true lelf-denial, without joining to it fuch oftenU-
ij as would deftroy its effe£t. Or if it could be
clone, it would be fo far from being delightful to
thofe who " through the pride of their heart will
not feek after God," that it would fill them with
difguft or difdain. So that all friends of the ftage
ought to join with David Hume, who hath exclu-
ded felf-denial^ humility, ami mortification, from
the number of the virtues, and rankf d them among
the vices.
From this it appears, that worldly men will bear
a form of godlinefs, but the fpirit and power of it
they cannot endure. When therefore, the Scrip-
Hires reprefent reli-ion, or any part of it, as ami-
able in the eyes of mankind in general, it is only
gVtlhg one view of its excellence in itfeif or in its
:ter; but this can never be intended torn
the judgment of bad men its ftandard or meafure.
And when the approbation of men is propofed as
an argument to duty, it cannot be confidered in
;my other light, than as an a^Mant Subordinate
motive to preferve us from its violation : for the
Scriptures wrill never warrant us to aim at the
praife of men, as the reward of our compliance.
If there be any more than what is faid above in
the teftimony which wicked men give in favour of
religion, it is but the voice of natural conscience,
that is, the voice of God in them, and n6t their
own; and as it is extorted from them againft their
v 111. they do all is their power to deftroy the force
NATURE AND EFFECTS CI £. 3;
the evidence. This we may be fen£b!e of, if
we will recollect, that it is always general, and
that many fpeak well of fomething which tl
religion in general, when yet there is hardly a
of the fervants of God, in whofe character a
conduct they will not endeavour either to find or
make a flaw. The truth is, though fome :
heroes in profanity vilify religion in itielf directly,
and in all its parts, the plurality of fcoiTers only tell
you this and the other thing is not religion, but fuper-
ftition, precifenefs, fancy or whim, and fo on. Bu:
at the fame time, if you take away all that by fome
or other is reflected on under thele appellations,
you will leave little behind. Which plainly teaches
us this truth, that no man will cordially approve of
fuch a fcheme of religion as he does not believe
2fid embrace, or inwardly and without diihmulation
applaud a character that is better than his own ;
at lead, than his own either is, or he fallely pre-
fumes it to be *. For this reafon the apoftle John
* For ascertaining the sense, and confirming the truth of
this passage, it is proper to observe, Thai by the word
letter is not So much to be understood higher in deg-
as different in kind. Though even in the first sense it
seems to hold pretty generally in comparisons between
man and man. Men conimo:. :.d their charity to
those who have less, and not to those who have more
goodness than themselves. They are very few, v.
when they see others more strict and regular in their con-
duct than they are willing to not ascribe it t-r
to v/ickedmss or hypocrisy. Perhaps, indeed, the reason
of this may be, tha; a gradual difference as to the actions
done, is considered as constituting i specific difference in
the moral character ; and men condemn ethers not hi
88 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
gives it as a mark or evidence of regeneration,
" We know that we have pafled from death to life,
becaufe we love the brethren ;" that is to fay, a
fincere and prevalent love to a faint as fuch, can
dwell in no heart but that which is fanctified.
It will be proper here to take notice, becaufe it
has fome relation to this fubjeft of what the advo-
cates of the ftage often make their boall, that before
a polifhed audience things grofsly criminal are not
fuffered to be aded ; and that it is one of the rules
of the drama, that if fuch things be fuppofed they
muft be kept behind the fcenes. We are often
put in mind of the pure tafte of an Athenian au-
dience, who, upon one of the a£tors expre fling a
profane thought, all rofe up and left the theatre.
A famous French tragedian, Corneille, alfo takes no-
tice of it as an evidence of the improvement of the
ilage in his time, that one of his beft written pieces
being better than themselves, upon their own notion of
goodness, but for placing religion in the extremes, which
they apprehend ought to be avoided. This confirms the
remark made above, that every man's own character is the
standard of his approbation, and shews at the same time
its inconsistency with that humility which is essential to
tjvery Christian. Wherever there is a real approbation^
and sincere confession of superior worth, there is also an
unfeigned imitation of it. The Christian not only knows
himself to be infin'tely distant from God, whom yet lie
supremely loves, but thinks himself less than the least of
all saints; but he could neither love the one nor the othvr,
if he had not a real, however distant likeness ; if he had
not the seeds of every good disposition implanted in him,
the growth of which is his supreme desire, and the im-
provement of which is the constant object of his care and
diligence.
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 89
had not fucceeded, " Becaufe it ftruck the fpec-
tators with the horrid idea of a proftitution to
which a holy woman had been condemned." As
to the cafe of the Athenians, it were eafy to fheW
from the nature and circumftances of the fa£t, that
this refentment at the profanity of the poet, though
it was exprefled in the theatre, was by no means
learned there. But it is needlefs to enter into any
nice difquifition upon this fubject, for all that fol-
lows from any fuch inftances, is, that there are
fome things fcr very grofs and fhocking, that, as
but a few of the mod abandoned will commit them,
fo the reft of the world can have no delight in be-
holding them. There is, no doubt, a great variety
of characters differing one from another in the de-
gree of their degeneracy, and yet all of them elTen-
tially di(lin£t from true piety.
To fet this matter in a juft light, we muft re«*
member, that, as has been confefTed above, the
matter of many good actions, or a defective im-
perfect form of virtue, is approved by the generality
of the world; and, that they are very much (waved
in their a£tions by a view, to public praife. There-
fore, they are mutually checks to one another, and
vice is not feen on a theatre in a grofs, but com-
monly in a more dangerous, becaufe an engaging
and iniinuafing form. The prefence of fo many
witneTTes does reftrain and difguife fin, but cannot
change its nature, orjender it innocent. The purity
the theatre can never be carried farther by the
tafte of the audience, than what is required in con-
verfation with the polite and fall.ionable world.
There vice is in fome meafure rcdraincd *, men :
90 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
be wicked, but they muft not be rude. How much
this amounts to is but too well known; it is no
more than that we muft not difguft thofe with
whom we converfe, and varies with their charac-
ter. This is fo far from being agreeable to the
rules of the gofpel, that a ferious Chriflian is often
obliged, from a ienfe of duty, to be guilty of a
breach of good manners, by adminiftring unaccept-
able reproof.
Thus it appears, that, in the ftage, the audience
gives law to the poet, which is much the fame thing
as the fcholar chufing his own leiibn ; and whether
this be a fafe or profitable method of inftruttion, is
eafy to judge. Every one who knows human na-
ture, efpecially who believes the reprefentation given
of it in fcripture, muft conclude, that the young
will be feduced into the commiffion, and the older
confirmed and hardened in the practice of fin ; be-
caui'e characters, fundamentally wrong, will be
there painted out in an amiable light, and diverted
of what is moll fhameful and (hocking. By this
means confcience, inftead of being alarmed, and
giving faithful teltimony, is deceived and made a
party in the caufe. In fhort, vice in the theatre
mult wear the garb, aiTume the name, and claim the
reward of virtue.
How ftrong a confirmation of this have we from
experience ! Have not plays in facSfc commonly turn-
ed upon the characters mod grateful, and the events
moft interesting to corrupt nature ? Pride, under
the name of greatnefs of mind, ambition, and re-
venge, under thofe of valour and heroifm, have been
their conftant fubje&s. But chiefly love: this, which
NATURE AN D EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 9 1
is the ftrongeftpaiTion,and the mod dangerous in the
human frame, and from which the greateft number
of crimes the moil atrocious, have fprung, was al-
ways encouraged upon the ftage. There women
are fwelled with vanity, by feeing their fex deified
and adored ; there men learn the language, as well
as feel by fympathy, the tranfports of paffion ; and
there the hearts of both are open and unguarded to
receive the impreffion, becaufe it is covered with a
mafk of honour. Hath this then been only the cafe
at particular times of occafional corruption, or for
want of a proper regulation of the ftage ? No, it is
infeparable from its conftitution. Such hath been
the nature and tendency of plays in all former ages,
and fuch, from the tafte and difpofition of thofe
who attend them, it is certain they will for ever con-
tinue to be *.
* Perhaps it will be alledged, that the whole force of this
reasoning may be evaded, b}r supposing a stage directed
by the magistrate, and supported at the public charge. In
this case the performers would be under no temptation, for
gain, to gratify the taste of the audience, and the mana-
gers would have quite a different intention. It is con-
fessed, that this supposition seems considerably to weaken
the arguments above used, though perhaps more in theory
than it would do in practice. But I would ask any who
make such a supposition, why this inviolable attachment
to the stage ? Why must so many efforts be made to pre-
serve it in some shape or other ? What are its mighty h
fits, that it must be forced as it were, out of its own na->
tural course in order to make it lawful, rather than we will
give it up as pernicious r — It is also to be observed that,
however useful an ordinance of God magistracy be for
public ord.r, there is very little security in thedireel
of magistrates, for sound and v me instruction in re-
ligion or mcrah, We can never depend upon them for
$2 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO Tllfc
Another argument, which fhews the (tage to b<*
an improper method of inftru&ion, or rather that
it fa pernicious and hurtful, may be drawn from its
own nature. In its mod improved ftate, it is a
picture of human life, and mud reprefent charac-
this, unless the}' are themselves persons of true piety,
not always even when that is the case, because they may
be guilty of man}' errors in judgment. Now it is not rea-
sonable to hope, that magistrates in any country, will be
always, or even generally, persons of true piety. Such,
with the other qualifications necessary to magistrates, are
not always to be found. Neither is there any necessity
for it; because though doubtless, those who fear God will
be the most faithful magistrates, and the most dutiful sub-
tS, yet the greatest part of the duties of both may be
performed without this, in a manner in which the public
will see and feel very little difference. Magistracy has
only the outward carriage, and not the heart for its object;
and it is the sensible effect which the public looks for, and
not the principle from which any thing is done. There-
fore, as on the one hand, if a subject obe}Ts the laws, and
outwardly fulfils the1 duties of his station, the magistrate
hath nothing farther to demand, though it be only for
" wrath," and not " for conscience sake ;" so on the
other, if a magistrate be diligent in preserving order,
and promoting the general good, though the motive
of his actions be no better than vanity, ambition,
or the fear of man well concealed, the public reaps the
benefit, and has no ground of complaint, even whilst his
character is detestable in the sight of God. But this magis-
trate can never be safely intrusted with the direction of
.: regards our moral and spiritual improvement, and lie
would be going out of his own sphere should he attempt
it. After all, it makes little difference whether the
magistrate or any body else directs the stage, while the
attendance is voluntary; for in that case, it must either be
suited to the tr.ste of the audience, or it will be wholly
deserted.
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 93
ters as they really are. An author for the ftage is
not permitted to feign, but to paint and copy.
Though he mould introduce things or perfons ever
fo excellent, if there were not difcerned a refem-
blance between them and real life, they would be
fo far from being applauded, that they would not be
fuffered, but would be condemned, as a tranfgref-
fion of the fundamental rules of the art. Now,
are not the great majority of characters in real life
bad ? Muft not the greateft part of thofe reprefented
on the ftage be bad ? And therefore muft not the
flrong impreffion which they make upon the fpec-
tators be hurtful in the fame proportion ?
It is a known truth, eftablifhed by the experience
of all ages, that bad example has a powerful and un-
happy influence upon human characters. Sin is of
a contagious and fpreading nature, and the human
heart is but too fufceptible of the infection. This
may be afcribed to feveral caufes, and to one in
particular which is applicable to the prefent cafe,
that the feeing of fin frequently committed, muft
gradually abate that horror which we ought to have
of it upon our minds, and which ferves to keep us
from yielding to its folicitations. Frequently fee-
ing the moft terrible objects renders them familiar
to our view, and makes us behold them with lefs
emotion. And from feeing fin without reluctance,
the tranfition is eafy, to a compliance with its re-
peated importunity, efpecially as there are lat<
remaining difpofitions to finning in every heart tl
is but imperfectly fandtified. It will be difficult to
aflign any other reafon, why wickednefs is ..
carried to a far greater height in large and populous
Vol. VI. * 1
94 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THB
cities, than in the country. Do not multitudes, in
places of great refort, come to perpetrate, calmly
and fedately, without any remorfe, fuch crimes as
would furprife a lefs knowing finner fo much as to
hear of ? Can it then be fafe, to be prefent at the ex-
hibition of fo many vicious characters as.always mud
appear upon the ftage ? Muft it not, like other ex-
amples, have a ftrong, though infenfible influence,
and indeed the more ftrong, becaufe unperceived ?
Perhaps fome will fay, This argument draws
very deep, it is a reproaching of Providence, and
finding fault with the order which God hath ap-
pointed, at lead permitted, to take place in the
world, where the very fame proportion of wicked
( hara&ers is to be feen. But is there not a wide
aiilerence between the permiffion of any thing by a
wife, holy, and juft God, or its making part of the
plan of Providence, and our prefuming to do the
fame thing, without authority, and when we can
neither reftrain it within proper bounds, nor direct
it to its proper end ? There are many things which
arc proper and competent to God, which it would
be the meft atrocious wickednefs in man to imitate-
Becaufe it Is both good and juft in God to vifit
us with fick-nefe, or to take us away by death
when he fees it proper, would it therefore be law-
ful in us, to bring any of them upon ourfelves at
our own pleafure ? I (liould rather be inclined to
think, that thefe fportive reprefentations on the
ftage, inftead of being warranted by their counter-
part in the world, are a daring profanation, and as
it were n mockery of divine Providence, and fo to
be confidered in a light yet more dreadful, than
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 95
any in. which they have been hitherto viewed. Be*
fides, it ought to be remembered that, though evil
a£Uons, as permitted, make a part of the will of
God, yet hitherto, all who deferve the name of
Chriftians have affirmed, that what is finful in any
a&ion is to be afcribed to the will of the creature
as its adequate caufe ; and therefore, exhibiting
human actions and characters upon the ftager, ia
not only reprefenting the works of God, but repeal-
ing the fins of men.
The criminal and dangerous nature of fuch a
condu£t will farther appear from this, that it is by
juft and neceffary eonfequence forbidden in the
word of God. There we find, that though in his
fovereign providence he permits the com million of
fin, fuffers his own people to continue mixed with
finners in this ftate, and makes their connexion
with them in fome meafure unavoidable, as a part
of their trial, yet he hath exprefsly prohibited them
from having any more communication with fuch,
than he himfelf hath made necefiary. We are
warned in Scripture, that " evil communications
corrupt good manners," and therefore, that we
mufl fly the fociety of the ungodly. The Pfalmiil
tells us, " Blefied is the man that walketh not in
the counfel of the ungodly, nor ftandeth in the way
of finners, nor fitteth in the feat of the fcornful,"
Pfal. i. 1. Agreeably to this the characters of
good men in Scripture are always reprefented.
Thus the Pfalmift David records his own refolu-
tion, " I will fet no wicked thing before mine eves.
I hate the work of them that turn afule, it fliall not
clenve to me. A froward heart fliall depart from
12
<j6 A SERIOUS INQURT INTO THE
me, I will not know a wicked perfon," Pfal. ci. 3, 4.
The fame fays elfewhere, "I am a companion of
all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy
precepts," Pfal. cxix. 63.— "Depart from me ye
evil doers, for I will keep the commandments of my
God." ver. 1 15.
But there is no need of citing paffages of Scrip-
ture to this purpofe ; it is well known, that good
men, though they will be very cautious of raihly
determining chara&ers that are doubtful, and will
far lefs difcover a proud and pharifaical contempt
of any who may yet be veflels of mercy, will, how-
ever, carefully avoid all unneceflary communication
with finners. They will neither follow their per-
fons from inclination, nor view their condu& with
pleafure. On the contrary, when they cannot
wholly fly from their fociety, it becomes a heavy
burden, and in fome cafes intolerable, and fo as to
require the interpofition of the fame kind Provi-
dence that " delivered juft Lot, vexed with the
filthy converfation of the wicked." Is there any
confiftency between fuch a chara&er, and attending
the ftage with delight ? Will thofe who " behold
tranfgreflbrs, and are grieved," crowd with eagernefs
to the theatre, where the fame perfons and aftions
are brought under review ? Will what affe&ed
them with forrow in the commillion, be voluntarily
chofen, and made fubfervient to their pleafure in
the repetition ?
I cannot help here calling to mind the anxious
concern which wife and pious parents ufually (hew
for their children, on account of the fnares to which
they are unavoidably expofed in an evil world.
How carefully do they point out, and how folemnly
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 97
do they charge them to (hun the paths in which
deftroyers go. They ufe this caution with refpett
to the world, even as under the government of
God ; and in fo doing they follow the example of
their Saviour, who, in the profpett of leaving his
difciples, after many excellent advices, purs up for
them this interceffory prayer ; " And now I am no
more in the world, but thefe are in the world,
and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through
thine own name thofe whom thou haft given me,
that they may be one as we are I pray not that
thou (houldeft take them out of the world, but that
thou (houldeft keep them from the evil," John xvii.
II. 15. Can any expeft that this prayer will be
heard in their behalf, who are not content with fee-
ing the world as it is ordered by a wife and holy
God, but muft fee it over again, in a vile imitation
by a finful man ?
It will probably be faid,,that this ftrikes as much
againft hiftory, at leaftthe writing and reading of hu-
man, commonly called, profane hiftory, as againft th^
writing and feeing of dramatic reprefentations. But
the cafes are by no means the fame ; the knowledge of
hiftory is, in many refpe&s, neceflary for the great
purpofes of religion.— Were not this the cafe, thers
would be little difficulty in admitting the confe-
quence. Perhaps, even as it is, it hadbeen better
for the world that feveral ancient fa&s and charac-
ters, which now ftand upon record, had been bu-
ried in oblivion #. At any. rate it may be fafely af-
* Perhaps some will be surprised at what is h< on
the subject of historj-, who have not usually vitwtd h
this light. And indeed this is the great difficulty in
13
98 A SERIOUS INQUIRY IHTO THE
firmed, that romances and fabulous narrations are
a fpecies of compofition, from which the world
hath received as little benefit, and as much hurt, as
any that can be named, excepting plays themfclves,
to which they are fo nearly allied. The firft are
only exceeded by the laft, as to their capacity of
doing mifchief, by the circumftances of a&ioi^
and die prefence at once of fo many perfons, among
whole of the present argument, to overcome Strong prepos-
-ions, and to shew men the sin and danger of a prac-
tice which they know to be common, and have been long
accustomed to look upon as lawful and safe. For this rea-
L, it is probable, that the best way of proving that the
^.bove assertion on the subject of history, is agreeable to
Scripture and reason, will be by a case perfect)y similar
Kit m )re frequently handled. Do not all Christian wri-
ters, without exception, who treat of the government of
the tongue, lay down this as a rule, that we are not to
report the sins of others though we know the truth of
the facts, unless where it is necessary to some good end ?
Now why should there be any different rule in writing,
than in conversation ? What is done either way, is the
same in substance, viz. communicating information ; and
writing, which may be called visible speech, is much more
lasting in its nature and extensive in its effects. If any ask,
How or why the knowledge of history is necessary to the
purposes of religion ? I answer it is necessary for proving the
truths of natural and confirming those of revealed religion ;
for repelling the attacks of adversaries, and giving us such 3
view of the plan of providence, as may excite us to the ex-
ercise cf the duties of adoration, thankfulness, trust, and
submission to the supreme Disposer of all events. Real facts
only are proper for this purpose, and not feigned stories,
in the choice and dressing of which, experience teaches
r.s, the great end is, that man be pleased, and not that God.
may be glorified.
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 99
whom by mutual fympathy, the fpiritual poifon
fpreads fafter and penetrates deeper.
Left it fhould be pretended that fuch a turn is
given to things in the repreferitation, as that, though
the greateft part of the actions reprefented are ill in
themfelves, yet vice is reproached or ridiculed, vir-
tue fet upon a throne, rewarded and honoured : let
it be called to mind that, as has been fhewn above,
the author is not left at liberty to do in this as he
pleafes. He muft gratify the public tafte, and the
rules he is obliged to obferve, have rather the con-
trary efYeCt. For he muft diveft his bad characters
of what is rrtoft horrid and {hocking, and prefent
them kfs deformed than they really are. Befides,
though he may conceal a part, he muft not alter
nature fo far as he goes, but take it as he finds it.
Accordingly fome of our modern critics tell us, that
there ought to be no particular moral in a dramatic
performance, becaufe that is a departure from nature,
and fo not in tafte.
It ought not to be forgotten, that attending dra-
matic reprefentations is not only feeing a great plu-
rality of bad characters without neceflity, and feeing
them with patience, but it is feeing them with plea-
fure. Whether or not entertainment be yielded
to be the only or ultimate effeCt of plays, furely it
cannot be denied to be one effeCt fought and ex-
pcCted from them, and from every part of them.
An aCtor is much applauded, and gives as much
pleafure to the fpeCtators, when he reprefents a
bad character to the life, as a good. Is there no
danger then, that a heart foftened by delight, fhould
be more liable to infection from evil than at other
100 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
times ? Is there no danger that an aflbciation fhould
be formed in the mind, between the fenfe of pleafura
and the commiflion of fin ? Will any perfon affirm,
that in fuch circumftances he feels that holy indigna-
tion againft fin which every Chriftian ought to con-
ceive upon feeing it committed? or, that he is able to
prelerve that awe and fear, which he ought to have
of the juft judgment of God, when he fees the
crimes that merit it boldly re-acied, aud finely mi-
micked in a perforated chara&er ?
So far is this from being the cafe, that every per-
fon attending the representation of a play, enters in
fome meafure himfelf, as well as the aftors, into
the fpirit of each character, and the more fo the
better the action is performed. His attention is
ftrongly fixed, his affections are feized and carried
away, and a total forgetfulnefs of every, thing takes
place, except what is immediately before him. Caiv
the various paffions be fo ftrongly excited as they
are fometimes known to be, and no effe<ft remain ?
Will not the paffion of love, for example, after it
has been ftrongly felt by the fpe&ator in fympathy-
with the a&or, be a little more ready to recurr
efpecially as nature prompts, and various Soliciting
objects are daily prefented to his eye ? The author
terminates his plot as he fees beft, and draws what^
conclufions he thinks proper from his characters ;.
but he has no reafon to think that he can controul
the paffions which he raiies in the fpeckators in the
fame manner, and not fuffer them to exceed the
bounds of his description. Will not the paffion of
revenge, that right hand of falfe greatnefs of mind^
after it has been ftrongly excited in the theatre, be-
KATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE SATGE. 101
apt to rife again upon every real or fuppofed provoca-
tion ? Some learned obfervers ef nature tell us, that
every paflion we feel caufes a new modification of
the blood and fpirits; if there is any truth in thb,
then every paffion excited in the theatre takes pof-
ieflion for a time of the very animal frame, makes
a feat to itfelf, and prepares for a fpeedy return.
Having thus endeavoured to fhew, that the ftage,
whether amufement or inftru£tion be aimed at in it,
cannot be attended by any Chriftian without fin ;
there is a third general argument againft it, which
merits confideration. It is, that no perfon can con-
tribute to the encouragement of the ftage, without
being partaker of the fins of others. This is proper
to be attended to, a6 it is againft a public theatre
that the argumects in this eiTay are chiefly levelled -,
fo that, if it be criminal at all, every perfon attend-
ing it, is not only faulty by his own proper con-
duit, but is farther chargeable with the guilt of
feducing others. Befides, without this the argu-
ment, to fome, would not be altogether complete,
for after all that has been advanced, there may be a
few, who in a good meafure yield it to be true, and
yet have another fubterfuge remaining. They ac-
knowledge, perhaps, that it is a moll hazardous
amufement, to which others ought ordinarily to be
preferred : That the bulk of plays will, much moro
probably, pollute than improve the far great eft part
of thofe who attend them. Yet ftill they are apt
to figure to themfelves particular cafes as exceptions
from the general rule, and to fuppofe, there i
• plays which may be attended, or at lcait, that
there we fame perfons, who have fo much cleamei^
102 A SERIOUS INQJJ1RY INTO THE
of judgment, and fo much conftancy in virtue, as
to feparate the corn from the chaff*. At a particu-
lar time, they fu>ppofe, a perfon of this kind may,
without receiving any hurt, be improved by the fine
fcntiments contained in plays : and alfo learn fome-
thing to be applied to other purpofes, of that force
and juftnefs of action, that grace and beauty of be-
haviour, which is no where feen in fo great perfec-
tion as on the ftage.
Upon this fubject in general, it may be affirmed,
that thofe who have this confidence in the ftrength
of their own virtue, are far from being the perfons
who may be mod fafely trufted in a place of dan-
ger. On the contrary, thofe will probably be mod
truly ftedfaft, when expofed to temptation, who
are mod diffident of themfelves, and do not wan-
tonly run into it. Yet, fince fome may take en-
couragement from fuch apprehenfions, it is proper
to obferve that, though there were truth in thcixs
pretence, yet would it not therefore be lawful for
them to attend the theatre. They could not do fo
without contributing to the fins of others, a thing
exprefsly prohibited in the holy Scriptures, and in*
deed diametrically oppofite to the two principal
branches of true religion, concern for the glory oi
God, and companion to the fouls of men.
There arc two ways in which the occafional at-
tending of plays, by thofe who are of good charac-
, even fuppofing it not hurtful to themfelves,
.tributes to the fins of others, (i.) By fupport-
; the players in that unchriftian occupation. (2.)
Encouraging, by their example, thofe to attend all
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. IC3
plays indifcriminately, who are in moft danger of
infection.
Firjiy It contributes to fupport the players in an
unchriftian occupation. After what has been faid
above, and which I now take for granted, on the
impropriety of plays as an amufement, and the im-
poflibility of furnifhing a flage with nothing but
found and wholefome productions, little doubt can
remain, that the occupation of players is inconfif-
tent with the character of a Chriftiaru Whatever
occafional prefence may be to fome fpectators, con-
tinual performing can never be lawful to the,a£tors.
On the very bed fuppofition, it is a life of perpetu-
al amufement, which is equally contrary to reafon
and religion. It is a mean proftitution of the ra-
tional powers, to have no higher end in view, than
contributing to the pleafure and entertainment of
the idle part of mankind, and inftead of taking
amufement with the moderation of a Chriflian, to
make it the very bufmefs and employment of life.
How ftrange a character does it make for one to
live, in a manner, perpetually in a mafk, to be
much oftener in a perfonated than in a real charac-
ter ? And yet this is the cafe with all players, if to
the time fpent in the reprefentation, you add that
which is neceilary to prepare for their public ap-
pearances. What foul polluted minds mult thofe
be, which are fuch a receptacle of foreign vanities,
jefides their own natural corruption, and where one
fyftem or plan of folly is obliterated only to make
ivay for another!
But the life of players is not only idle and %
and therefore inconfiftent with the charu: tor c
104 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
Chriftian,but it is ftill more dire&ly and grofsly cr
minal. We have feen above, that not only froi
the tafte of the audience, the prevailing tendenc
of all fuccefsful plays muft be bad, but that in th
very nature of" the thing, the greateft part of th
characters reprefented mud be vicious. What the
is the life of a player ? It is wholly fpent in endes
vouring to exprefs the language, and exhibit a pei
fe£t picture of the paiTions of vicious men. For thi
purpofe they mull ftrive to enter into the fpirit, an
feel the fentiments proper to fuch characters. Ur
lefs they do fo, the performance will be quite fain
^.nd weak, if not faulty and wholly unnatural. An
can they do this fo frequently without retaining muc
of the imprefilon, and at laft becoming what in trutl
they are fo often in appearance ? Do not the charac
ters of all men take a tincture from their employmen
and way of life ? How much more mull theirs b
infected, who are couverfant, not in outward occu
pations, but in characters themfelves, the aclions
paflions and afteCtions of men ! If their perform
ance touch the audience fo fenfibly, and produce ii
them fo lading an effeCt, how much more mull tin
fame effects take place in themfelves, whofe whol<
time is fpent in this manner !
This is fo certain, and at the fame time fo acknow-
ledged a truth, that even thofe who are fondeft o:
theatrical amufements, do yet notwithftanding^ftecn
the employment of players a mean and fordid pro*
feflion. Their character has been infamous in all
ages, juft a living copy of that vanity, obfcenity, and
impiety which is to be found in the pieces which
they reprefent. As the world has been polluted bj
MATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. ICJ
the ftage, fo they have always been more eminent-
ly fo, as it is natural to fuppofe, being the very cif-
terns in which this pollution is collected, and from
which it is diftributed to others. It makes no dif-
ference in the argument, that we muft here fuppofe
the ftage to be regulated and improved; for as it
hath been {hewn, that it never can be fo regulated
as to be fafe for the fpe&ators, it muft be always
worfe for the a£tors, between whom and the audi*
ence the fame proportion will ftill remain. Can it
then be lawful in any to contribute, in the leaft de-
gree, to fupport men in this unhallowed employment?
Is not the theatre truly and cfTentially, what has
been often called rhetorically, the fchool of impiety,
where it is their very bufinefs to learn wickednefs ?
And will a Chriftian, upon any pretended advantage
to himfelf, join in this confederacy againft God,
and aflift in endowing and upholding the dreadful
feminary ?
Secondly^ Men of good chara&er going occafion-
ally to the theatre, contribute to the fins of others,
by emboldening thofe to attend all plays indiscrimi-
nately, who are in mod danger of infection. If
there be any at all, efpecially if there be a great
number, to whom the ftage is noxious and finful#
every one without exception is bound to abftain.
The apoftle Paul exprefsly commands the Corin-
thians to abftain from lawful things, when their
ufing them would make their brother to offend, that
is to fay, would lead him into fin. " But take
heed, left by any means this liberty of yours be-
come a ftumbling-block to them that are weak.
For if any man fee thee which haft knowledge.
Vol. VL K
106 A'SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO 1
at meat in the idols temple, fhall not the con-
fcience of him that is weak, be emboldened to cat
thofe things which are offered to idols ? And
through thy knowledge (hall the weak brother pe-
rifh, for whom Chrift died. But when ye fin fo
againft the brethren, and wound their weak con-
icience, ye fin againft Chrift. Wherefore if meat
make my brother to offend, I will eat no flefli
while the world ftandeth, left I make my brother
to offend," 1 Cor. viii. 9 — 13.
There are many who feem to have entirely forgot
that this precept is to be found in the word of
God, and difcover not the lcaft fenfe of their obli-
gation to comply with it. If by any plaufible pre-
tences they imagine they can vindicate their conduct
with regard to them fe Ives, or palliate it with ex-
cufes, they are quite unmindful of the injury
which they" do to others. I fpeak not here of of-
fending, in the fenfe in which that word is com-
monly, though -unjuftly taken, as difpleafing others.
Such as are difpleafed with the conduct of thofe
who attend the theatre, becaufe they efteem it to
be finful, are not thereby offended in the Scripture
fenfe of the word, except fo far as fome few of
them are provoked to unchriftian refentment, or in-
duced to draw rafti and general conciufidns, from
the indifcretion of particular perfons, to the preju-
dice of whole orders of men. But vaft multitudes
are truly offended, or made to offend, as they are
led into a practice, which, whatever it be to thofe
who fet the example, is undoubtedly pernicious to
them. Is it poffible to deny, that under the beft
regulation of the theatre that can reafonably be
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 107
hoped for, to great numbers it muft be hurtful,
efpecially as it is enticing to all ? And, if that be
but allowed, perfons of character and reputation
cannot attend without contributine to the mifchief
that is done.
Perhaps it will be objected to this application of
the paflage of fcripture cited above, that the parti-
cular danger there pointed out by the apoftle, is
inducing men to venture upon a practice with a
doubting confeience. I think it highly probable,
that this very precife cafe happens with many, who
go to the theatre following the example of others.
They are not entirely fatisfied of its Iawfuluefa, they
ftill have forne inward relu&ance of mind, but ad-
ventnro to gratify a carnal inclination, being em-
boldened by the example of thofe who are efteemed
men of understanding and worth. But even where
their implicit truft is fo ftrong as fully to fatisfy
them, and fet their minds at eafe, the apoftle's
argument holds with equal force, if thereby they
are unavoidably led into fin.
This will probably be looked upon as a very hard
law, and it will be afked, Is a man then never to
do any thing that he has reafon to believe will be
mifinterpreted, or abufed by others to their own
hurt? The hardnefs of the law will wholly vanifh,
if we remember, that it is confined to things indif-
ferent in 'their nature. In duties binding of their
own nature, we are under no obligation to pay
any regard to the opinion of others, or the con Se-
quences of our condudt upon them. But in things
originally indifferent, which become duties, or not,
precifely on account of their conSequences, there
K2
ioS A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
wc) are to beware of making our brother to otfend.
The fcripture rule is this, We mufl not commit the
lead iin under pretence of the mod important end,
though it were to fave multitudes from fins incom-
lbly more heinous. - But in matters of indiffer-
ence, we are not to value the mod beloved enjoy-
ment fo highly as to endanger the falvation of one
ioul by infnaring it into fin. And can a real belie-
have the fmalleft objection, the lead rifing
thought againd this equitable law ? Shall we value
any prefent gratification equally, nay, fhall we once
put it a ;;,e oaiancc with the tpuuSs! intered of an
Immortal foul ? Now, who will be fo (hamelefs as
to affert, that attending a public (l«gC IS to him a
neceflfary duty ? Or what defender of the dage
will be fo fanguine as to affirm, that it is, or that
he hopes to fee it regulated fo as to be fafe or profi-
table to every mind ? and yet till this is the cafe, it
evidently dands condemned by the apodoiic rule.
Since writing the above, I have met with a pam-
phlet jud publifhed, entitled, The morality of Stage-
plays ferioufly confidered. This author convinces
me, that I have without fufficient ground fuppofed,
that nobody would affirm attending plays to be a
neceflary duty : for he has either done it, or gone
l'o very near ir, that probably the next author upon
the fame fide will do it in plain terms, and ailert,
that all above the dation of tradefmeu who do not go
to the pluy-houfe, are living in the habitual neglect
of their duty, and finning grievoufly againd God.
If this looks ridiculous it is none of my fault, for I
fptak it ferioufly : and it is a much more natural
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. I09
confequence from his reafoning, than any he has
drawn from it himfelf.
He confiders the paffage of the apoftle Paul, and
fays, (which is true) that it holds only in the <
indifferent actions, but that we are to " do good in
the face of prejudice." The way in which he fhews
it to be doing good, is pretty Angular, but I pafs it
by for a little, and obferve, that probably he is not
much accuftomed to commenting on fuch paflages
of fcripture ; for even granting his unreasonable fup-
pofition, doing good indefinitely is not oppofed to
indifferent actions in this, or any fimilar cafe. An
acYion that is good in itfelf, is indifferent when it
may be exchanged for another ; when one as good,
or better, may be put in its place. Nothing is op-
pofed to indifferent a£trons here, but what is inciif-
penfably neceffary, and abfolutely binding, both in it-
felf, and in its circumftanccs. And indeed, though
he is afraid at firft to fay fo, he feems to carry the
matter that length at laft, making his concluiion a
little broader than the premifes, and faying in the
clpfe of the paragraph upon that fubject, " What
they do to this purpofe, either in oppofing the bad
or promoting the good, is matter of duty, and their
conduct in it is not to be regulated by the opinion of
any perfon who is pleafed to tike offence
But how {hall we refute this new and v. ful
doctrine, of its being neceffary that good men
fliould attend the theatre ? I cannot think of a
ter way of doing it, than tearing off fonfe of the
pery of words, with which it is adorned a
guii'jc!, a:ul letting his own afllrtions together in
* F gc 23.
K3
rie A SERIOUS INQUIRY into the
form of a fyllogifm. " The manager of every
theatre mull fuit his entertainments to the company,
and if he is not fupporteel by the grave and fober, he
muft fuit himfelf to the licentious and profane."
u We know that in every nation there muft be amufe-
ments and public entertainments, and the itage has
always made one in every civilized and polifhed na-
tion. We cannot hope to abolifh it." Ergo,
According to this author, it is the duty of good men
to attend the flage. But I leave the reader to judge,
Whether from tha firft of his propofitions, which is
a certain truth, it is not more juft to infer, that till
the majority of thofe who attend the ilage are good,
entertainment cannot be fit for the Chriftian ear •,
and becaufe that will never be, no Chriftian ought
to go there.
J what a fhameful begging of the queftion is
his fecond propofition, " That we cannot hope to
abolith it." It is hard to tell what we may hope for
m this age, but we infift that it ought to be abolish-
ed. Nay, we do hope to abolilli it juft as much as
other vices. We cannot hope to fee the time when
there (ball be no gaming, cheating, or lying -y but we
muft dill preach againft all fuch vices, and will ne-
ver exhort good men to go to gaming-tables, to per-
iuade them to play fair, and lefTen the wickednefs of
the practice. In fhort, it is a full refutation of the
extravagant aflertion of good men being obliged, as
matter of duty, to go to the theatre, that no fuch
thing is commanded in the word of God, and there-
fore it ts not, and cannot be neceflary to any *.
* It is proper here to remark, how natural it was to sua
fcs«; that the argument would be carried this leagtb, when
SAZ HE STAGE.
: is evidently pernicious to great numb-:
a be lawful to none.
would give Ghriftians z much more juil,
well as more extenfive view of tLeir duty, i.
they commonly have, if they would confider t:
relation to, and neceGary influence on oce enother.
All their vifible a&ions hire an effect upon oth
as well as themfelves. Erery thing we fee or tear
makes fome iinprefEon on u> y though for the moit
part unperceived, and we contribute every moment,
to form each other's chara&er. What a melanchcly
view then does it give us of the fu:
among us at prefent, that when piety tov God
has been excluded from many moral fyftems, and
the whole of virtue confined to the duties of fecial
life, the better half of thefe alfo fhould be cur off,
and all regard to the fouls of ethers forgotten or
derided ? Nothing indeed is l^ft but a few expref.
(ions of compliment, a few infignificant c€.
prefent conveniency ; for that which fome modern
refiners have dignified with the name of virtue,
nothing elfe but polifhed luxury, a flattering of
each other in their vices, a provocation of each
other to fenfual indulgence, and that u friendship
of the world,** which c< is enmity with God/*
I would now alk the reader, after perufing the
preceding arguments againtt the ftage, Whether he
is convinced that it is incontinent with the charac-
interests of virtue. Ac .. therefore 1 liav* above taken no-
tide, uaat these prophets run unseat, the pr©pr*t v of
trhich remark wlii z&\y cka:
112 SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
ter of a Cnriftian, or not ? If he fliall anfwer in
the ve, if he has ftill fome remaining argu-
ment in its defence, or fome method, which has
not red .to me, to take off the force of the
reafoning, I would next afk, ^ r it does not
at lead render it a doubtful point ? Whether, join-
ed with the concurrent teftimony of the belt and
wiieft men in all ages againfl: it, as it appeared
among them, and the impurity and corruption that
ftill attends it, there is not at leaft fome ground
of hefitation ? And, if fo much be but allowed, rt
becomes on this very account unlawful to every
Chriftian, who takes the word of God for the ruTe
of his conduct. There clear evidence and full per-
fuafion is required before an a6tion can be lawful,
and where doubt arifes, we are commanded to ab-
ftatn. " Happy is he that condemneth not himfeff
in that thing which he alloweth : and he that doubt-
eth is damned, if he eat *, becaufe he eateth not of
faith, for whatfoevcr is not of faith is fin," Rom.
xiv. 22, 23.
Hitherto we have reafoned againfl what is calk 1
a " well-regulated ilage." That is to fay, inftead of
attacking the corruptions which now adhere to it,
we have endeavoured to fhew, that from the purpofe
intended by it, from the prefent ftne, and general
tafte of mankind, and the nature of the thing itfelf,
a public theatre is not capable of fuch a regulation,
as to make it confident with the purity of the
Chriftian grofeflion to attend or fupport it. If any
complain, that part of the above reafoning is too ab-
Itracled, a.nd not quite level to the apprehefrfion of
every reader, let it be remembered, that it is direct-
NATURE ANI> EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. I I 3
ed agai.nft an idea fo abftracted, that it never yet
did, and from what we have feen, there is reafon
to believe i: never can exift. It is indeed altogether
imaginary, and is drefied up by every author who de-
fends it, in the manner and form that befl pleafes
himfelf, fo that it is infinitely lefs difficult to refute
or mew the unlawfulnefs of a well regulated ftage,
than to know what it is.
If the authors on this fubjeft would enter into
particulars, and give us a lift of the ufeful and in-
ftructive plays with which our ftage is to be ferved;
lay down a plan of ftrict. difcipline, for introducing
and preferving purity among the a£lors ; and fhew
us by whom the managers are to be chofen, and
tneir fidelity tried, with fome general rules for their
conduct, it might foon be determined by plain aw
Fnnple arguments, whether fuch an entertainment
could be fafely permitted to a Chriftian, or not.
But, when they give us no farther account of it,
than by calling it a ftage prope/iy regulated^ they
involve themfelves at once in obfcurity, as to the
very fubjeft of their difcourfe. It is no wonder
then, that they can make a parade with a few glit-
tering phrafes, as picture of nature, moral lecture,
amiable chara&er, companion for virtue in diftrefs,
decency of the drama, and feveral others. We are
put to a (land what to fay to fuch things, for if we
fpeak of the impure fentiments of authors, or the
wanton gefliculations of actors, all thefe are im-
mediately given up, and yet the fort remains as en-
. Therefore, the method taken in this
trcatife, with all the difadvantages that attend it,
was locked upon to be the bed and the cleared tl
114 A SERIOUS INQJIRY INTO THE
could be chofen; to (hew, that thofe from whom n
reformation of the dage mud come, are neither able
nor willing to nuke it; very materials of
which this fine fydem is to confilt are naught, and
therefore, fo mud the product be always found up-
on trial.
It may indeed be matter of wonder, that among
the many fchemes and projects daily offered to the
eenfideration of the public, there has never been
any attempt to point out a plaufible way, now the
ftage may be brought into, and kept in fuch a (late
of regulation as to be confident with the Ch'rifti'an
character. There have been attempts to {hew how
money may be in a manner created, and the na-
tional debt paid, or the annual fupplies raifed, with-
out burdening the funje£t. So:r.c. wkp torn* "O-
thing ot their own, have endeavoured to perfuade
the red of mankind, that it is the eafied thing ima-
ginable to grow rich in a few years, with little
labour, by the improvement of moor, mofs, or bees.
But none, fo far as I have heard or feen, have been
fo bold as to lay down a didintt plan for the im-
provement of the dage. When this is added to the
confiderations already mentioned, it will confirm
every impartial perfon in the belief, that fuch im-
provement is not to be expected.
I hope therefore, there may now be fome pro-
fpect of fuccefs, in warning every one who wifhes
to be edeemed a difciple of Chrid againd the dage,
as it hitherto has been, and now is. Experience is
of all others the fured ted of the tendency of any
practice. It is dill more to be depended on than the
mod plaufible and apparently conclufive reafoning,
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. IIJ
upon what hath never vet been tried. Let us then
confider, what hath been the fpirit and tendency of
almoft the whole plays which have been represent-
ed, from time to time, upon the ftage. Have net
love and intrigue been their perpetual theme, and
that not in a common and orderly way, but withre-
fiftance and impediments, fuch as rivalfhip and jea-
loufy, the oppofition of parents, and other things of
a Gmilar nature, that the paffions may be ftrongly
excited, and that the force of love, and its triumph
over every obftacle, may be fet before the audience
as a leflbn ? Is not the polite well-bred man the he-
ro of fuch plays, a character formed upon the max-
ims of the world, and chiefly fuch of them as are
mod contrary to the gofpel ? Are not unchriftian
refentment and falfe honour the characTteriftics of
every fuch perfon ?
What is the character of a clergyman when it is
taken from the ftage ? If the perfon introduced is
fuppofed to poffefs any degree of ability, hypocrify
is the leading part of the character. But for the
moft part, aukwardnefs, ignorance, dulnefs, and pe-
dantry, are reprefented as infeparable from men of
that function. This is not done to correct thefe
faults when appearing in fome of that profeflion, by
comparing them with others free from fuch re-
proachful defects, but it is the ,eharacler of the
clergyman in general, who is commonly introduced
firigle, and, compared with the men acquainted with
the world, very little to his advantage. The truth
is, it fcems to be a maxim with dramatic authors,
to (trip men of every profeflion of their feveral
cellencics, that the rake may be adorned with tho
Il6 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
fpoils ; even learning is commonly afcribed to him ;
how confidently with truth or nature, and confe-
quently with tafte itfelf, I leave the reader to de-
termine.
And where can the plays be found, at leaft come-
dies, that are free from impurity, either dire£Uy or
by allufion and double meaning ? It is amazing to
think, that women who pretend to decency and re-
putation, whofe brighteft ornament ought to be mo-
defty, fhould continue to abet, by their prefence,
fo much unchaftity, as is to be found in the theatre.
How few plays are a£ted which a modcfl woman
can fee, confidently with decency in every part !
And even when the plays are more referved them-
lelves, they are fure to be feafoned with fomething
of this kind in the prologue or epilogue, the mufic
between the acts, or in fome fcandalous farce with
which the diverfion is concluded. The power of
cuftom and fafhion is very great, in making people
blind to the mod manifeft qualities and tendencies
of things. There are ladies who frequently attend
the ftage, who if they were but once entertained with
the fame images in a private family, with which
they are often prefented there, would rife with in-
dignation, and reckon their reputation ruined if ever
) they mould return. I pretend to no knowledge of
'thefe things, but from printed accounts, and the
public bills of what plays are to be a£tcd, fometimes
by the particular defire of ladies of quality; and yet
may fafely affirm, that no woman of reputation (as
it is called in the world) much lefs of piety, who
has been ten times in a play-houfe, durft repeat in
company all that me lias heard there. With what
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE* 117
t:onfiftency they gravely return to the feme fchools
of lewdnefs, they themfelves beffc know.
It ought to be confidered, particularly with re-
gard to the younger of both fexes, that, in the thea-
tre, their minds muft infenfibly acquire an inclina-
tion to romance and extravagance* and be unfitted for
the fober and ferious affairs of common life. Com-
mon or little things give no entertainment upon the
ftage, except when they are ridiculed. There muft
always be fomething grand, furprifmg and flriking.
In comedies^ when all obftacles are removed, and the
marriage is agreed on, the play is done. This gives
the mind fuch a turn, that it is apt to defpife ordi-
nary bufmefs as mean, or deride it as ridiculous,
Afk a merchant, whether he chufes that his appren-
tices fliould go to learn exa£tnefs and frugality from
the ftage ; or, whether he expe&s the mod punctual
payments from thofe whofe generoflty is ftrength-
ened there, by weeping over virtue in diftrefs ?
iSuppofe a matron coming home from the theatre fill-
ed with the ideas that are there imprefled upon the
imagination, how low and contemptible do all the
affairs of her family appear, and how much muft
fhe be difpofed, (befides the time already confum-
ed) to forget or mifguide them !
The a£tors themfelves are a fignal proof of
this. How feldom does it happen, if ever, that any
of them live fober and regular lives, pay their
debts with honefty, or manage their affairs with
discretion ? They are originally men of the fame
compofition with others, but their employment
wholly incapacitates them for prudence and regula-
rity, gives them a dilffpation of mind and unftayed-
Vol. VI. L
I 1 8 A SERIOUS I N'qUIRY INTO THE
nefs of fpirit, (o that they cannot attend to the af.
fairs of life. Nay, if I am rightly informed, that va-
riety of characters which they put on in the theatre,
deprives them of common fenfe, and leaves them in
a manner no character at all of their own. It is
confidently faid, by thofe who have thought it worth
while to make the trial, that nothing can be more
infipid than the converfation of a player on any other
fubjeft than that of his profeflion. I cannot indeed
anfwer for this remark, having it only by report,
and never having exchanged a word with one of
that employment in my life. However, if it holds,
a degree of the fame efFe<ft muft neceflarily be
wrought upon thofe who attend the flage.
But folly or bad management is not all that is to
be laid to the charge of players : they are almofl
univerfally vicious, and of fuch abandoned charac-
ters, as might juftly make thofe who defend the
ftage, afhamed to fpeak of learning virtue under
fuch mailers. Can men learn piety from the pro-
fane, mortification from the fenfual, or modefty
from harlots ? And will any deny that hired ftage-
players have always, and that defervedly, borne
thefe .characters ? Nay, though it could be fuppofed,
that the fpe£tators received no hurt themfelves, how
is it poffible that the performances of fuch perfons
can be attended, or their trade encouraged, without
fin ?
This fhews alfo, that attending a good play, even
fuppofing there were a few unexceptionable, cannot
be vincieatcd upon Chriftian principles. It is plead-
ed for the new tragedy # lately introduced into our
theatre, that it rs an attempt to reform the ftage,
• Douglas.
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. I 19.
and make it more innocent or more ufeful. What
this piece is in itfelf, nobody can fay with certain-
ty till it be publifhed, though the account given of
it by report is not exceeding favourable. But let it
be ever fo excellent in itfelf, the bringing of one
good play upon the ftage is altogether iofufficient,
nay, is a method quite improper for reforming it.
An author of a truly good piece would rather bury
it in oblivion, than lend his own credit, and that of
liis work, for the fupport of thofe that are bad. A
Chriftian can never attend the ftage, confidently
with his character, till the fcheme in general be
made innocent or ufeful. He muft not fin himfelf,
nor contribute to the fins of others, in a certain de-
gree, becaufe, unlefs he do fo, they will fin without
him in a higher degree. In fhort, fuch an attempt
can be confidered in no other light, than as encourag-
*ng a pernicious practice, and fupportmg a criminal
aflbciation. The better the play is, or the better the
characters of thofe who attend it are, the greater
the mifchief, becaufe the flronger the temptation
to others who obferve it.
There is one inducement to attendance on the
ftage, which hath more influence than all the argu-
ments with which its advocates endeavour to colour
over the practice : that it is become a part of fa-
fhionable education. Without it, young perfons
of rank think they cannot have that knowledge of
the world which is neccfTary to their accom-
pli (h men t •, that they will be kept in rufticity of
carriage, or narrownefs of mind, than which no-
thing is more contemptible in the eyes of the reft of
mankind ; that they will acquire the character o£
La
I 20 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
rtifTand precife, and be incapable of joining in po-
lite converfation, being ignorant of the topics upon
which it chiefly turns. No better than thefe, it is
to be feared, are the reafons that many parents
fuller their children to attend this and other fafhion-
able diverfions. How then (hall we remove this
difficulty ? Why truly, by faying with the apoftle
John, to fuch as will receive it, " All that is in the
world, the luft of the flefh, and the luft of the eyes,
and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of
the world." i John ii. i<5. It is certainly the great-
eft madnefs to feek the knowledge of the world by
partaking with bad men in their fins. Whatever
knowledge cannot otherwife be acquired, is fhame-
ful and not honourable. How cruel then are thofe
parents, who, inftead of endeavouring to infpire
their children with a holy and manly refolution, of
daring to appear fmgular in an adherence to their
duty, fuffbr them to be plunged in (in, that they
may not be defective in politenefs. Why mould the
world, or any thing elfe, be known, but in order
to our fpiritual improvement * ? Therefore, all that
* This is not meant to condemn all human accom-
plishments, which have not an immediate reference
to our religious improvement, but to affirm, that tl
ought to be kept in a just subordination and subservi-
ency, to the peat and chief end of man. There are,
r.o doubt, a great number of arts, both useful and orna-
mental, which have other immediate effects, than to
make men holy ; and because they are, by the greatest
partcf the world, abused to the worst of purposes, they
are considered as having no connection with religion at all.
But this is a mistake j for a good man will be directed ia
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. I 2t
is truly valuable, mud, by the very fuppofition, be
innocently learned, and to bear with a noble difdain
the feoffs of more experienced fmners is the great-
eft glory.
Like to the above is another argument in favour
of the ftage, that men mult have amufements, and
that the ftage is much better than many others,
which would probably be put in its place. It is
faid, that of all the time fpent by the fafhionable part
of the world, at prefent in diverfions, that which
they allot to the ftage is mod innocently, or lead
hurtfully employed. Is there any more in this,
than a declaration of the (hameful luxury and de-
generacy of the prefent age, an alarming token of
approaching judgment? Do not fuch perfons know,
that all ferious Chriftians condemn every one of
thefe criminal pleafures, and will never allow it as
any advantage to exchange one of them for another?
But it is lefs furprifing to hear fuch palliative argu-
ments ufed in converfation : an author above re-
ferred to has been bold enough, in print, to reafon
in the fame way. He fays, " That no abufe was
the choice and application of all such arts, by the general-
and leading purpose of his life. i\nd as he who eats for
no other or higher end than pleasing his palate, is justly
condemned as a mean and groveling sensualist, so, who-
ever has no farther view in his education and accomplish^
ment, than to shine and make a figure in the fashionable
world does not in that respect act the part of a Christian.
In short, these airts are among the number of indrrTerent
things, which should be supremely and ultimately directed
to the glory of God. When they are not capable of this,,
either immediately or remotely, much more when they
wre contrary to it, they must be condemned.
122 A SERI(K> INQUIRY INTO THE
ever admir . b\W might pafs for p«>
feet decen-jy, v hen compared to what may fa
been often heard of, at a gofiipping, a merry making
or a meeting of young fellows *." Again, tfter
v :ig us that we cannot hope to abolifh the ftage, he
fays, « And if we could, we fhould only make way
for the return of drunkennefs, gaming, and rude
cabals, which the more decent converfation and
manners of civilized times have in a great manner
abolifhed." I lay hold of this gentleman's reafoning,
who pleads for civilizing the world, and not fanc-
tifying it, as a confeffion of the weaknefs of his
caufe, and a confirmation of all the arguments pro-
duced in this treatife againft the ftage. For, if he.
meant to mew, that ftage-plays were agreeable to
the purity of the gofpel, that drunkennefs is worfe,
indeed it be fo) could be no evidence of it at all.
He muft therefore, if he fpeaks to any purpofe,
ad for the toleration of finful diversions, becaufe
they are incomparatively lefs finful than others; and
if that is the cafe, I deteft his principles, and fo
will every Chriftir.n.
Having mentioned this author, perhaps it may
Ue expeGed, that I would take fome notice of the
other arguments brought by him in defence of the
ftage. It is not eafy either to enumerate or com-
prehend them, they are thrown together in fuch
confufion, and expreiTed in fuch vague and general
terms. He fays, (page 3.) + The people of this
iiland are not inferior to thofe of any other age or
country whatever. This will be a prefumption,
* M
Morality cf St££<? Plays seriously considered, p. 19.
that if plays are a poifon, it is at leaft but flow m
its operation." And, p. 17, " We may venture to
afk, Whether knowledge, whether induihy, and
commerce have declined in this city, (Edinburgh)
fince the play-houfe was firft opened here ? It will
be owned, that they have rather increafed." I
would venture to aflc, What fort of an argument
is this, and what follows from it, though both his
affertions were allowed to be true, which yet :
eafily be in many refpe&s controverted ? If the
ftage, as he would infinuate, be the caufe of cur
improvement, then is his argument felf-contradic-
tory, for we ought to be greatly inferior in purity
to the people of other countries, who have enjoyed
the reforming ftage much longer, which is contrary
to his fuppofitiou. The truth is, the ftage is not
the caufe, but the confequence of wealth ; and it is
neither the caufe nor confequence of goodnefs or
knowledge, except fo far as it certainly implies
more knowledge than uncultivated favages poflefs,
and is only to be found in what this author calls
civilized nations. How eafy were it for me to
name feveral vices unknown to barbarians, which
prevail in places of tafte and poliihed manners.
Should I at the fame time infinuate, that thefe
vices have contributed to improve us in knowledge
and tafte, it would be juft fuch.au argument as is
here ufed in favour of the ftage, and the plain mean-
ing of both is, the abufc of knowledge is the caufe
of it.
It were worth while to conGder a little our im-
provements in knowledge in this age, which are
€>ften the boaft of not the molt knowing writers.
ix4-
-4*1 A SERIOUi INQUIRY INTO THE
Perhaps it may be allowed, that there is now in the
world a good deal of knowledge of different kinds,
but it is plain we owe it to the labours of our pre-
deceflbrs, and not our own. And therefore, it is
to be feared, we may improve it no better than
many young men do, who come to the eafy poffef-
fion of wealth of their father's getting. They nei-
ther know the worth nor the ufe of it, but lquander
it idly away, in the mod unprofitable or hurtful
purfuits. It is doubtlcfs, an eafy thing at prefent,
to acquire a fuperficial knowledge, from magazines,
reviews, dictionaries, and other helps to the floth-
ful ftudent. He is now able, at a very fmall ex-
pence, to join the beau and the fcholar, and triumphs
in the tafte of this enlightened age, of which he
hath the comfort to reflect, that he himfelf makes
a part. But for our mortification, let us recollefit,.
that as feveral writers have obferved, human things
never continue long at a (land. There is commonly
a revolution of knowledge and learning, as of riches
and power. For as ftates grow up from poverty to
induftry, wealth, and power; fo, from thefe they pro-
ceed to luxury and vice ; and by them are brought
back to poverty and fubje&ion. In the fame man-
ner, with refpeft to learning, men rife from igno-
rance to application •, from application to know*
ledge ; this ripens into tafte and judgment : then,
from a defire of diftinguiftiing themfelves, they fu-
peradd affe&ed ornaments, become more fanciful
than folid ; their tafte corrupts with their manners,,
and they fall back into the gulph of ignorance. The
feveral fteps of thefe gradations commonly corre-
fpond •, and if we defire to know in what period of
NATUttE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. I 25
aach, we of this nation are at prefent, it is probable,
we are in the age of luxury, as to the firft, and in
the eve at leaft of a falfe and frothy tafte as to
learning •, and may therefore fear, that as a late
very elegant writer exprefles it, " We fhall relapfe
faft into barbarifm."
Another argument produced by thi's author is,
that the apoftle Paul, in preaching at Athens, quotes
a fentence from one of the Greek poets •, and, in
writing to the Corinthians, has inferted into the
facred text a line from a Greek play, which now
fubfifts — M This (he fays) is fufficient to conne£t
the defence of plays with the honour of fcripture
itfelf." The fact is not denied, though he has given
but a poor fpecimen of the knowledge of this age,
by miftaking, in the firft of thefe remarks, the ex*
preffion quoted by the apoftle •, for this fentence,
" In him we live, and move, and have our being,"
which, he fays, is a very fublime expreflion, and
beautifully applied by the apoftle, was not cited
from the poet, but the following, " For we are alfo
his offspring." But fuppofing he had (as he eafily
might) have hit upon the true citation, what fol-
lows from it ■? Did ever any body affirm, that no
poet could write, or no player could fpeak any
thing that was true ? And what is to hinder an in-
fpired writer from judging them out of their own
mouths ? What concern has this with the ftage ?
If it implies any defence of the ftage in general, it
muft imply a ftronger defence of the particular
play and poem, from which the citations are taken.
Now, I dare fay, neither this author, nor any other
will aflert, that thefe are in all rcfpvcls agre.
I 2.6 1 SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE
the Chriftian character. Thefe citations do no
other way conned the defence of the ftage with
the honour of fcripture, than a minifter's citing
in writing, or difcourfe, a pafTage from Horace or
Juvenal, would connect the defence of all the ob-
fcenity that is to be found in the reft of their works,
with the honour of preaching.
The only thing further in this efiay not obviated
in the preceding difcourfe, is what he fays on the
fubjecr. of the poor. " That the ex pence laid out
on the ftage does not hinder the charitable fupply
of the poor, and that they fufler no lofs by it, for it
comes at laft into the hands of the poor, and is paid
as the price of their labour. — Every player mult be
maintained, clothed, and lodged." It does not fuit
with my prefent purpofe to enter into controverfial
altercation, or to treat this author with that feverity
Ke deferves ; and therefore I fhall only fay, that his
reafoning upon this fubje£t is the very fame from
which Doctor Mandeville draws this abfurd and
hated confequence, " Private vices are public bene-
fits."
The truth is, a ferious perfon can fcarce have a
ftronger evidence of the immorality of the ftagc,
than the perufal of thefe little pieces of fatire>
which have been publifhed, in fo great a variety,
againft the prefbytery of Edinburgh, within thefe
few weeks, becaufe of their public admonition
againft it. They offer no other defence, but derid-
ing the preaching of the gofpel, blafphemoufly com-
paring the pulpit with the ftage, and recrimination
upon fome who are fuppofed to live inconfiftently
with their character. It is not worth while to
NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE STAGE. 12?
fpend three words in determining whether drunken-
nefs, deceit, and hypocrify are worfe than the ftage
or not : but if that is the flrongeft argument that
can be offered in its fupport, wo to all thole who
attend it. The new reformed tragedy has indeed
been very unlucky in its advocates. There is an
old faying, That a man is known by his company.
If this be true alfo of a play, which one would
think it fhould, as it mud be chiefly to the tafte of
congenial minds, by thofe who have appeared in
defence of Douglas, it is a work of very little
merit.
It may be expe&ed, that, having brought this
performance on the field, I fhould add fome further
reflexions, upon the aggravated fin of Minifters
writing plays, or attending the ftage. But though
it is a very plain point, and indeed, becaufe it is fo,
it would draw out this treatife to an immoderate
length. If any man makes a queftion of this, he
mull be wholly ignorant of the nature and impor-
tance of the miniuerial character and office. Thefe,
therefore, it would be neceflary to open diftinttly,
and to confider the folemn charge given to minifters
in fcripture, to watch over the fouls of their people
as thofe " who muft give an account unto God,"
to give themfelves wholly to their duty, fince fome
of thofe committed to them are from day to day,
entering on an unchangeable (late, whofe blood,
when they die unconverted, fliall be required at the
hand of the unfaithful paftor. None can entertain
the lead doubt upon this fubje£l, who believe the
teflimony of Mofes and the prophets, of Chrift and
128 A SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE, &C.
Ins apoftles, and, if they believe not their writings,
neither will they believe my words.
Initead therefore of endeavouring to prove, I will
malce bold to affirm, that writing plays is an em-
ployment wholly foreign to the office, and attending
theatrical representations an entertainment unbe-
coming the cliavacter of a minifter of Chrifl : And
muft not both, or either of them, be a facrilegious
abftra&ion of that time and pains, which ought to
have been laid out for the benefit of his people ? Is
it not alfo flying in the face of a clear and late a£t
of parliament, agreeably to which the Lords of
Council and Seffion not long ago found the ftage
contrary to law in this country ? And though the
hrw is eluded, and the penalty evaded, by adverti-
fmg a concert, after which will be performed, gratis,
a tragedy, &c ; yet furely, the world in judging
of characters, or a church court in judging of the
conduct of its members, will pay no regard to the
poor and fliameful evafion. Can we then think of
this audacious attempt at the prefent juncture,
without applying to ourfelves the words of Ifaiah,
u And in that day did the Lord God of holts call
to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldnefs, and
to girding with fackcloth, and behold joy and glad-
nefs, flaying oxen and killing fheep, eating flelli
und drinking wine ; let us eat and drink, for to-
morrow we die. And it was revealed in mine
ears by the Lord of hofts, Surely this iniquity mall
not be purged from you till you die, faith the Lord
of hofts," Ifa. xKli. 12, 13, 14.
1
taken
LETTER
RESPECTING
PLAT-ACTORS.
Sir,
HERE appeared in the national Gazette of
the — of March laft, a paffage faid to be
taken from a French publication, which no doubt
the editor of the Gazette thought worthy of the
public eye. It was to the following purpofe: — It
muft appear very furprifing that «ven down to the
expiration of the French Monarchy, there was a
chara&er of difgrace affixed to the profeflion of a
player, efpecially when compared to the kindred
profeflions of a preacher or pleader, although the
talents neceflary to thefe occupations are as much
inferior to thofe of a good comedian, as the talents
of a drug- pounding apothecary to thofe of a regular
bred phyfician ; and that it is hoped that the reco-
very of the character due to theatrical merit, will
contribute not a little to the improvement of future
manners.
I have long expected to fee fome remarks pub-
lished on this fmgular fentiment, but, either no-
body has thought it worthy of their attention, or
the ftri&ures have not fallen in my way ; therefore
as this fubject is not one of thofe that lofe their im-
portance or propriety by a fhort lapfe of time; and
Vol. VI. M
130 LETTER RESPECTING PLAY-ACTORS.
as, on the contrary, the prefent controverfy in Phi-
ladephia, on the application to the legiflature againft
the ftage, feems to render it peculiarly feafonable,
I beg the favour of you to publifli the following
obfervations.
The author of the paragraph publifhed by Mr
Freneau, though a warm advocate for the theatre,
vouches for me as to the fa& that there has been a
character of difgrace for many ages, imprefled upon
the theatrical profeflion. Though he had not af-
firmed it, the fact is undoubtedly certain, that the
theatrical profeflion has had a difgrace affixed to it
from the earlieft times, and in all the countries
where theatres have been in ufe.
Public actors on the ftage were counted infamous
by the Roman law, they were excommunicated by
the church from the time of the introduction of
Chriftianity into the Roman empire, even to the
time mentioned by the author of the above para-
graph, the -expiration of the French Monarchy.
If this had been only occafional, local, and tem-
porary, it might have been confidered as owing to
iome of thofe accidental, but tranfient caufes, which
fometimes produce remarkable effects For a little
time, and then wholly ceafe. But fo uniform and
fo general an eftedt mud have fome adequate and
permanent caufe or caufes to produce it — which is
to be the fubject of the prefent inquiry.
1 have only to add as to the fa£t, that even the
prefent living, warmed and mod zealous advocates
for the ftage have not been able to efface this im-
preflion from their own minds. There does not
exift in Philadelphia, or any where elfe, any perfon
LETTER RESPECTING PLAY-ACTORS. I3I
of rank or chara&er, who would be pleafed with an
alliance with the ftage, either by their fon's mar-
riage with an actrefs, or by their daughters being
married to a£tors.
Before entering into the principal part of the fub-
jett, it will be neceffary that the reader fhould give
particular attention to the following remark. The
infamy which has attended the profeflion of players
belongs wholly to the profeflion itfelf, and not to
the perfons, or rather circumftances by which they
may be diftinguifhed. Players when they are feea
on the ftage, are drefled in the fined habits, aflume
the manners, and fpeak the language of kings and
queens, princes and princefles, heroes and heroines,
which is a very different fituation from thofe who
belong to what are fometimes .called the lower clafles
of life. Thofe who follow the mechanic arts are
fometimes confidered as in a ftate of difgrace, but
it is wholly owing not to their profeflion, but to
the poverty and want of education of a great majo-
rity of them. The profeflion is lawful, laudable,
ufeful, and neceflary. Let me fuppofe a blackfmith,
a weaver, a fhoemaker, a carpenter, or any other
of the machanic profeflions, and fuppofe that, by
activity and induftry he becomes wealthy, and in-
ftead of a work-fhop, fets up a factory ; if he be-
comes rich early enough in life, to give his children
a good education and a handfome fortune, tell me
who is the perfon, who would refufe his alliance or
be afliamed of his connection ? Is it not quite other-
wiie as to players, with whom though eminent in
their profeflion, as Moliere and Madamoifelle Clai-
ron.in France, Garrick, Mrs biddons, and A
M 2
1 32 LETTER RESPECTING PLAY-ACTORS.
Bellamy in England, I believe there is hardly any
example of any perfon of decent ftation, or of mid-
dling fortune who would be ambitious of fuch a family
connexion. Therefore, I repeat it, and defire it
may be kept in view in the whole of this reafoning,
that the difgrace impreffed upon the character of
players belongs to the profeflion, and not to the
perfon. Nay, though according to the old faying,
exceptio fir mat regu/am, there fhould be an inftance
or two picked up in diftant ages, in which fuper-
lative merit, overcame the general prepofleflion,
fuch as Rofcius in Rome, Moliere in France, and
Shakefpeare in England, this would not hinder the
certainty or importance of the remark in general, of
the opprobrium that follows the profeflion. I now
proceed to the reafons on which the facl: is founded.
Firjlj All powers and talents whatever, though ex-
cellent IB themfelves, when they are applied to the
fingle purpofe of anfwering the idle, vain, or vi-
cious part of fociety, become contemptible.
There is not upon record among the fayings of bold
men, one more remarkable than that of Sobrius
the tribune, to Nero the Roman Emperor •, when
ailced by the emperor, why he who was one of his
perfonal guards, had confpired againft him ? He an-
fwered, I loved you as much as any man, as long
as you deferved to be loved, but I began to hate you,
when, after the murder of your wife and mother,
you become a charioteer, a comedian and a buftoon.
I am fenfible, that in this reafoning, I confider thea-
trical pieces, properly fpeaking, as intended foramufe-
ment. I am not however ignorant, that fome have
LETTER RESPECTING PLAY-ACTORS. 1 33
dignified them with the character of fchools or lef-
fons of morality.
But as they have been generally called, and are
(till called by the writers in the Philadelphia News-
papers, amitfetnentSy fo I am confident every body
mufl perceive, that this was their original purpofe,
and will be their capital and their principal effect. It
feems to me of confequence in this argument to ol-
ferve, that what is true of theatrical exhibitions is
true of every other effect of human genius or art \
when applied to the purpofes of amufement and
folly, they become contemptible. Of all external
accomplifhments, there is none that has been for
many ages held in greater efteem than good horie-
manihip. It has been faid, that the human form ne-
ver appears with greater dignity, than when a hand-
fome man appears on horfeback, with proper and
elegant management of that noble creature. Yet
wh^n men employ themfelves in fingular and whim-
fical feats, {landing inftead of riding upon a horfe
at full gallop, or upon two horfes at once, or other
feats of the like nature, in order to amufe the vain,
and gather money from the foolifh, it immediately
appears contemptible. And for my own part, I
would no more hold communication with a matter of
the circus than a manager of the theatre. And I
mould be forry to be thought to have any intimacy
with either the one or the other.
The general obfervation which I have made,
plies to all human arts of every kind and cl.
Mufic has always been efteemed one of the fineft
arts, and was originally ufed in the worihip of G
and the praife of heroes. Yet when mufic is ap„
M3
*34 LETTER RESPECTING PLAY-ACTORS.
plied to the purpofes of amufement only, it becomes
wholly contemptible. And I believe, the public per-
formers, from the men-fingers and women-fingers
of Solomon, to the fingers in the prefent theatres,
arc confidcred as in a difgraceful calling. I am hap-
py to have even Lord Chefterfield on politenefs, for
my afTiftant in this caufe : for though he acknow-
ledges mufic to be one of the fine arts, yet he thinks
to be too great a connoifleur, and to be always fid-
dling and playing, is not confident with the charac-
. :r of a gentleman.
In the fecond place, As players have been general-
ly perfons of loofe morals, fo their employment di-
ye£Uy leads to the corruption of the heart. It is an
allowed principle, among critics, that no human
pafiion or character, can be well reprefented, unlefs
it be felt : this they call entering into the fpirit of
the part. Now, I fuppofe, the following philofo-
phical remark is equally certain, that every human
pafiion, efpecially when ftrongly felt, gives a cer-
tain modification to the blood and fpirits, and makes
the whole frame more fufceptible of its return.
Therefore, whoever has juftly and ftrongly a£ted
human pafiions, that are vicious, will be more prone
to thefe fame pafiions ; and indeed, with refpeft to
the whole character, they will foon be in reality,
what they have fo often feemed to be.
This applies to the whole extent of theatrical re-
prefentation. Whoever has acted the part of a
proud or revengeful perfon, I fhould not like to fall
in his way, when offended : and if any man has of-
ten acted the part of a rogue or deceiver, I fhould not
be willing to truft him with my money. It may ei-
LETTER RESPECTING PLAY-ACTORS. 1 35
ther be added, as another remark, or confidered as
a further illuftration of the one laft made, that play-
ers, by fo frequently appearing in an aflumed cha-
racter, lofe all character of their own. Nothing,
fays an eminent and learned writer, " is more auk-
ward and infipid, than a player out of the line of
his own profeihon." And indeed what muft that
memory and brain be, where the conftant bufinefs
of its poffeffor is to obliterate one fcene or fyftem of
folly, only to make way for another ?
In the third place, I cannot help thinking, it is
of fome moment to obferve, that players, in confe-
quence of their profeflion, appearing continually in
an alTumed character, or being employed in prepa-
ring to affume it, mull lofe all fenfe of fincerity and
truth. Truth is fo facred a thing, that even the
leaft violation of it, is not without its degree of guilt
and danger. It was far from being fo abfurd as it
often has been faid to be, what the old Spartan an-
fwered to an Athenian, who fpoke to him of the
fine leiTons found in their tragedies : " I think I
could learn virtue much better from our own rules
of truth and juflice, than by hearing your lies.''
I will here obferve, that fome very able and judi-
cious perfons have given it as a ferious and impor-
tant advice to young perfons, to guard againft mi-
micking and taking off others, as it is called, in lan-
guage, voice, and gefture \ becaufe it tends to de-
itroy the fimplicity and dignity of perfonal manners
and behaviour. I myfelf, in early life, knew a young
man of good talents, who abfolutely unfitted him-
felf for public fpeaking, by this practice. He was
educated for the miniftry, and was in every refpect
I36 LET1LR RESPECTING PLAY-ACTORS.
veil qualified for the office ; but having without fuf-
picion, frequently amufed himfelf and others, by
imitating the tones and geftures of the mofl emi-
nent preachers of the city where he lived, when he
began to preach himfelf, he could not avoid falling
into one or other of thofe tones and manners which
he had fo often mimicked. This, as foon.as it was
perceived, threw the audience into a burft of laugh-
ter, and he was foon obliged to quit the profeffion
altogether, for no other reafon, than he had thus
fpoiled himfelf by the talent of imitation I may
fay further, in fupport of this remark, that I have
known no inftance of one eminent for mimicking,
who did not in time make himfelf contemptible.
But the human paffion that makes the mofl con-
fpicuous figure in the theatre, is love. A play with-
out intrigue and gallantry, would be no play at all.
This paffion is of all others, that which has pro-
duced the greatefl: degree of guilt and mifery, in the
hiftory of mankind. Now is it, or can it be denied,
that a&ors in the theatre are trained up in the know-
ledge and exercife of this paffion, in all its forms ?
It feems to have been a fentiment of this kind, that
led a certain author to fay, that to fend young peo-
ple to the theatre to form their manners, is- to ex-
pert, * that they will learn virtue from profligates,
and modefty from harlots."
Thefe remarks feem to me fully fufficient to ac-
count for the difgrace that has fo generally followed
the profeffion of an a&or. I fhall only add a few
words upon an opinion to be found in Werenfels
and fome o:her eminent authors. They condemn
public theatres, and defpife hired players ; but they
LETTER RESPECTING PLAY-ACTORS. 1 37
recommend a&ing pieces by young perfons, in fchools
or in private families, as a mean of obtaining grace
and propriety in pronunciation. Of this I {hall juft
obferve, that though this pra£Hce is much lefs dan-
gerous than a public theatre, yet it does not feem to
me to be of much neceflity for obtaining the end
propofed.. And I dare fay, that if this practice were
often repeated, the fame that may be acquired at fuch
exhibitions, would, upon the whole, be very little
to the honour or benefit of thofe who acquired it.
I will conclude this eflay by an obfervation on the
comparifon made by the French writer, mentioned
in the beginning, between the talents neceflary to a
good preacher or pleader, and thofe neceflary to a
good play-attor. I wifli he had mentioned the ta-
lents and qualifications, that we might have been
able to examine his reafoning. As for my own
part, I can recollect but two which are effentially
requifite to a player, memory and mimickry ; and
I have known both thefe talents poflefled in great
perfection, by men who were not in underftanding
many degrees above fools ; and on the contrary,
fome of the firft men whom hiftory records, that
were no way remarkable in point of memory, and
totally deftitute of the other quality.
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS :
OR, THE
ARCANA of CHURCH POLICY.
BEING AN
HUMBLE ATTEMPT
TO OPEN THE
MTSTERT of MODERATION.
WHEREIN IS SHEWN,
A PLAIN AND EASY WAY OF ATTAINING TO THE CHARACTER
OF A MODERATE MAN, AS AT PRESENT IN REPUTE IN THE
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
to *nb
DEPARTED GHOST,
or
SURVIVING SPIRIT,
OF THE LATE
Reverend Mr. — — , Minijler in ■'
Worthy Sir,
DURING a great part of the time I fpent in
compofing the following Treatife, I was fully
refolved to have fent it abroad by itfelf, arid not
to have dedicated it to any perfon in the world 5
and indeed, in a confined fenfe of the word worlds
you fee I have ftill kept my refolution. The rea-
fon of this my intended purpofe was, that I find
the right honourable the Earl of Shafteibury, in an
advertifement, or ticket, prefixed to his works, hath
exprefled a contempt and difdain of all dedications,
prefaces, or other dilcourfes, by way of forerunners
to a book. This he feems to think a mean and cow-
ardly way in an author of creeping into the world,
and begging the reception which he dares not claim.
Being fatisfied, therefore, of the juftnefs of this
obfervation, and being alfo fomewhat confident (as
lordfhip feems to have been) of the intrinfic
worth of my performance, I intended to have come
forth in this mafterly manner.
But, upon more mature deliberation, I difcover*
cd, that the only objections againit dedications were
Vol, VI. N
14- DEDICATION.
the felf-diffidence juft now mentioned, and the fuf-
picion of flattery for felfifh ends, which is fo con-
trary to diiintereilcd benevolence ; fo that if I could
frame a dedication which fhould be quite beyond
the imputation of any of thefe two purpofes, I fhould
then wholly efcape his lordfhip's cenfure.
This aim, I think, I have fallen nothing fhort of,
when I have dedicated this book to you, mod illuf-
trious shade ! as my moft malignant enemies can-
not but grant, that I could have no expectation of
your encouraging me, either by buying my book, re-
commending it to others, or giving it away to the
poor; nay, or even io much as for my.tranflation
to a better benefice in afTembly or commiflion.
It ftartled me a little, that this conduct might per-
haps by evil-difpofed perfons, be reprefented as an
approach to popery, and refembftng their worship-
ping of faints : but I hope this can fcarcely be im-
puted to me,, in the prefent cafe, fince you never
were efteemed a faint while vou lived, nor ever
thirfted after that title.
Another more material objection occurred to me,
That a dedication to a dead man, is either almoft or
altogether unprecedented. But I am not much con-
cerned though this method of proceeding mould be
thought bold and new, becaufe this is the character
which the incomparable Mr gives of his own
efTay^ upon the principles of morality and natural
religion. Befldos, I am not altogether deftitute of
authority : for the memorable Dean Swift has ufed
the freedom to dedicate his Tale of a Tub to Prince
Poferky. I have alio fcen a fatirical poem, called
Jure Divinoy dedicated, with great folemnity, to
DEEICATIOM. I43
Prince (or rather, I believe, to King) Reafon. If,
therefore, one of thefe authors might dedicate a
book to a faculty of the human mind, and the other
to an abftra£t idea, I hope it is no great preemp-
tion in me to dedicate miue to you, though " in ita~
tue mortuorum -" efpecially as there is not a living
man who hath fo good a claim to the compliment of
a treatife upbn my fubje£t.
But a more gravelling difficulty than any of thefe,
kept me fome time in fufpence, viz. how to get the
book prefented to you, as I did not find in myfelf
any inclination to depart this life in order to tranf-
port it. After much trouble, I was at length re-
lieved by reflecting, that Mr Pope has aflured us,
that the ghofts of departed ladies always haunt the
places in which they delighted while they were alive j
and therefore, from analogy, it is to be fuppofed,
that the fame thing holds with regard to departed
minifters. If this is the cafe, I look upon it as cer-
tain, that your chief refidence is in the affembly*
houfe at Edinburgh, where you have, in your life-
time, Loth given and received fo much pleafure.
For though I will not limit you, in your unembodied
(late, from making circuits through the country,
and vifiting fynods, or prefbyteries, particularly in
the M fe and G y, where there are fo manv
men after your own heart ; yet, I dare fay, you will
not be abfent from the aflembly, nor any of the
quarterly meetings of the commiffion, which hath
fo often faved the church from impending dangers.
It is therefore my purpofe to go to Edinburgh in
May next, when the aflembly meets, of which I am
a member, and there to lay 1: ou my perfor-
N a
144 rrnicATiojn
xnance, hoping it will prove moft delicious and fo*
voury to all your fenfes, to the names of which, and
the manner of their prefent operation, I am wholly
a ftrangtT.
It is probable you have not been accuftomcd, thefe
two or three years paft, to hear your own praifes
celebrated ; and therefore I (hall no farther launch
out into them than to fay, that there is not one branch
of the character recommended in the following pa-
ges in which you were not eminent ; and that there
never was one ftone by you left unturned, for promo-
ting the good caufe That you may ftiil fit upon
the throne, and, by your powerful, though invifible
influence, make the intereft of moderation prevail,
is the ardent wifh, and the pious prayer of,
Sir,
Your Most Obedient,
And Admiring Servant*
PREFACE.
GR ATITUDE obligeth me to acknowledge the
kind reception which the world hath given
to the following generous efforts, for the honour of
our church. This (hews, either that panegyric is
by no means fo unacceptable to mankind in general,
as fome ill-natured authors infmuate •, or that this
of mine hath been executed with very uncommon
fkill. If this laft mould be the true folution, it
would give me a double fatisfaction. However, as
the love of detraction, in fome perfons, is incurable,
and as many have fach ulcerated minds, that there
is no poffihility of applying to them, even in the
foftefl and moft friendly manner, without offending
them •, to prevent the fpreading of any fuch baleful
influence, I think it proper to add a few things
upon the ftructure of this performance ; part of
which mould have accompanied the firfl edition,
if it had not pleafed the publiiher to print it with-
out any communication with the author.
From the beginning I fore law it would occur as
an obje&ion, that I have not properly denominat-
ed that party in the church which I have chofen to
celebrate by the words moderation and xtt men*
It is alledged that, for thefe two or three years paft,
they have made little ufc of thefe words, and have
chofen rather to reprefent themfelvcs as fup-.
porters of the conftitution, as a£ling upon con^
*4# PREFACE.
ftitutional principles, as lovers of order, and enemies
to COnfufioii, &c. wliile at the very fame time, the
oppofite party have taken up the title of moderation,
and pretend to be acting upon moderate principles.
It is alfo hinted, that the juft feverities which the
times render neceflary, require a different phrafeo-
logy.
In anfvver to this I obferve, that my treatife has
really been a work of time (as, I hope, appears
from its maturity) the mod part of it having been
compofed above two years ago, and before this
change- of language was introduced. It was ori-
.ally intended only to exhibit a general view of
the difFerent parties in religion and learning among
us; though it hath now admitted a very particular
account of the lateft and mod recent differences
in the church, chiefly becaufe the prefent feems like-
ly tp be an ara of fome confequence, and to be big
with fome very great events, as well as perfons.
Befides, I confider, that this name of moderate men
was much longer the deOgnation of my friends,
than thofc lately invented -, and as they do not
even at prefent allow the claim of their enemies to
that character, it is probable they intend to take it
up again, as foon as the defigns now upon the anvil
fharl be completely executed. As to the name of
moderation being inconfiflent with a proper vigour,
in fupport of their own meafures, and wholefome
feveritics again ft their enemres, it is an objection
altogether frivolous, as appears from the following
examples : A certain minifter being aflced the cha-
xa£ter of a friend of his, who had come up to the
drably, and particularly whether or not he was a
PREFACE. I47
moderate man? anfwered, O yes > fierce for modera-
tion !
I think it proper to inform the reader, that one
great reafon of the uncommon choice of a patron
to this work was, an opinion I had long entertain-
ed, and in fupport of which I could alledge very
ftrong arguments, from the fayings of fome great
men and philofophers, as well as the practice of a
famous ancient nation, with regard to their kings ;
that the true and proper time of afcertaining and
fixing a man's character is when he has done his
whole work -, and that pofterity hath as- good a
right to the pofleffion and ufe of his fame after
death, as his contemporaries to his abilities during
his life. At the fame time, though the author had
a particular hero in view, yet he chofe to publifli it
without mentioning his name, or place of abode, or
indeed any circumftance foreign to the character
which might diftinguifh the perfon. The defign
of acting in this manner was, that in cafe the worjd
fhould univerfally agree to afcribe it to the fame
perfon he had in his eye, it might be fuch a judi-
cation of the truth of the character, as very few-
modern dedications can boaft of.
This invention I challenge as wholly my own \
and do hereby allow and recommend the ufe of it
to all future authors, hoping it will change the
£a{hion among writers of character and felf-efteem,
from ufing no dedications at all, to forming them up-
no a. plan entirely new. Let them each keep his pa-
tron in his eye, draw his character as exactly and
graphically as pothble, anu1 publifh it without a
name, or with this infcription Detur digtrijpmo :
I48 rREFACC.
then if the world do univerfally afcribe it to the
perfon intended, let his name be prefixed to the
fecond edition ; and it will be more true, and fter-
Ung, and acceptable praife, than any hitherto found
in that clifs of panegyrics. But if, on the contrary,
the world ihail afcribe it to a different perfon, let
the author acquiefce in that determination, rejoice
in fo good an expedient for preventing a blunder,
and make his court to his new patron, wh® will
hardly refufe to admit him after fo refined and de-
licate a compliment. I dare not recommend any
thing like this method, with refpect to the books
already printed, becaufe it would occafion fo vio-
lent a controverfy about the propriety of many de-
dications, as could not be ended but by the fword j
they being mod of them addreffed to great men,
who having agreed upon this method of revenging
grofs affronts, and terminating in the laft refort, all
important difputes. Should any afk, why I have
not followed my own rule, by now prefixing the
name of my patron ? They are to underfland, that,
for reafons known to myfelf, I intend to defer it till
the nineteenth or twentieth edition.
If any (hall think fit to blame me, for writing in
fo bold and afluming a way, through the whole of
my book, I anfwer, I have chofen it on purpofo, a3
being die lateft and moft modern way of writing j
and the fuccefs it has already met with, is a de-
monstration of its propriety and beauty. The fame
thing alfo, to my gre.it fatisfaction, is a proof of
the juftiee of a late author's fcheme of Moral Phi-
lofophv, who has expelled mortification, felf-deniaf%
kumiEtjft and Jdcnce^ from among the number of the
JREFACE-. 149
virtues, and transferred them, as he exprefleth him-
felf, to the oppofite column ; that is to fay, the
column of vices. This fcheme, I dare fay, will
ftand its ground ; and, as a critic, I obferve, that
it was probably the (ingle circumftance juft now
mentioned, that brought upon the author an adver-
fary who, though poflefled of many truly good
qualities, had the misfortune to be always eminent
for modefty, and other baftard virtues of the fame
clafs.
There are fome, I find, of opinion, that it was
neither neceflary nor ufeful for me, to give fo many
examples of the conduit of the moderate, in the
illuftration of the feveral maxims; and thefe emi-
nent perfons themfelves feem to feel fome pain,
from the expofing of their virtuesto the public view.
But is it not an eftablifhed truth, that example
teaches better than precept ? Is there any thing
more ufual in moral writings, than to illuftrate
them by extracts from the lives of the philosophers,
and other heroes, of ancient times? and fince the
advantage of example is commonly faid to be, that
it is a living law, or that it puts life into the precept,
furely the beft of all examples mud be thofe of per-
fons really and literally alive : neither mould fuch
perfons themfelves be offended with this conduct ;
fince, as has been hinted above, mortification andyty^
denial^ are no more to be reckoned among the virtues^
but the vices.
However, I have the comfort to reflect, thnt
from the oppofite opinions of thofe who have pa/led
their judgment on this performance, I am in tlr
middle, and confequently in the right -% for there
*50 ?RErACt.
have been tranfmittcd to me many noble inftances
of moderation, in expectation, no doubt, that they
fhould be added to my collection. I thankfully ac-
knowledge my obligations to thefe kind contributors,
but cannot make any ufe of their contributions at
prefent ; for it would, at leaft, double the bulk of
the treatife, and thereby render it lefs commodious for
pocict-carriage. Further, I do aflure them, it was
not through want of materials that a greater number
of examples was not produced, but from having
duly weighed the proper proportion for a work of
thi: extent: and to what hi'h been affixed with
fo much deliberation, I am refolved ftedfaftly to
adhere.
It were indeed to be wiihed, that every man was
left to himfelf, and allowed, in peace and quietnefs
to finifli his own work his own wa^ : for I have
feldom obferved thefe things called hints and fuggef-
tionsj to have any other effeft than to perplex and
miflead. An author's frtuation, when perfecuted
with them, feems to me to refemble that of a gentle-
man building a houfe, or planning out a garden,
who, if he hearkens to the advice, or attempts to
gratify the tafte of every vifitor, will, in all proba-
bility, produce, upon the whole, a collection of in-
confiftencies, a fyftem of deformity.
I am very forry to be obliged thus to fpeak in ob-
fcurity, by returning a public anfwer to private ob-
fervations •, but cannot omit taking notice, that it
has been much wondered at, that a certain very
eminent perfon has been loft in the crowd of heroes
without any particular or diftinguifhing compliment
-paid to himfelf. Now, this did not by any means
PREFACE. T5I
flow from a want of refpecl: and efleem, but from
a diftruft of my own abilities, and a defpair of being
able to do juftice to fo illuflrious a character. Nei-
ther indeed was there any great neceflity (excepting
mere compliment) of fpreading his fame, which
hath already gone both far and wide. Befides, that
his many and remarkable exploits, however flrong
and pregnant proofs they may be of benevolence and
focial affection, have fome circumftances attending
them, which render them more proper fubjects of
difcourfe than writing. The glare would be rather
too great for even the ftrong eye-fight of this genera-
tion to endure, when brought very near them.
The fun is the moft glorious of all objects in the
firmament •, and yet, though it were in the power
of a painter to draw him in all his luftre, there
would hardly be found a proper place for him in the
largeft palace in Great Britain.
The only other objection I fhall take notice of
is, that in one refpett, I may be faid to have drawn
the picture larger than the life, in as much as I
feem to fuppofe, that all moderate men do, in fa£t,
pofiefs every one of the virtues which I have made
to enter into the perfection of the character. This
objection, though the one mod in fi fled upon, is
evidently both falfe and foolifh. No reader of
true difcemment can imagine any fuch thing. If
it were fo, there would be no occafion for my book
. at all: on the contrary, the various maxims ihfei
| in it, and the various examples produced in illuitrn-
| tion of them, do fhew, that there art different de-
grees of perfection, even amongft the moderate
themfelves. They are a body, every member of
which has neither the fame abilities, nor the fame
*$% TRETACE.
office. They are alfo a body mod firmly united,
for mutual avfence and fupport : fo much, I con-
fefs, I intended to intimate -, and that, on this ac-
count, they are intitled to a fort of community of
goods, and mutual participation of each other's ex-
cellencies. A head may very well boaft of the beau-
ty, elegance and a&ivity of the hands, or the comely
proportion and (trength of the limbs belonging to it:
and yet, though they are one body, it would be
ridiculous to fuppofe, that the head or hands are
always in the dirt, when they have the feet to carry
them through it.
This metaphor of a body, however common, is
one of the jufteft and mod fignificative imaginable,
out of which a very long allegory might be form-
ed ; but I fhall profecute it no farther at this time,
except to acknowledge, that it convinces me of
one real omiilion in my plan, viz. that what hath
been juft now hinted, I ought to have inferted as a
thirteenth maxim, and illuftrated it at large *. It
would have been eafy to fhew, that the moderate
are remarkable for the moft perfect union and har-
mony, and for a firm and fledfaft adherence to each
other, in the profecution of their defigns. Neither
is there any inflance in which there is a ftronger
contrail or oppofition between them and the ortho-
dox ; as manifeftly appeared from the conduit of
both parties in the General Affembly 1753. A
friend of ours called the enemy, upon that occafion,
a parcel of confcientious fools : had he then read the
following maxims, which prove, that they have as
little confcitnce as wifdom, it is probable he would
have beftowed on them their true and proper cha*
rafter.
* This was done in the third edition*
ECCLESIASTICAL
CHARACTERISTICS
INTRODUCTION
^P^HE reader will doubtlefs agree with me, that
L moderation is an excellent thing, and par-
ticularly the noblefl character of a church-man.
It is alfo well known, that as all churches have
ufually in them a moderate, and a zealous, high-
Hying, wild party ; fo our church hath at prefent
a certain party, who glory in, and fight for modera-
tion ; and who (it is to be hoped juftly) appropriate
to themfelves wholly the character of ^moderate
men : neither is it a fmall prefage of a glorious and
blefTed ftate of the church, in its approaching
periods, that fo many of our young men are fmitten
with the love of moderation, and generally burn
with defire to appear in that noble and divine cha-
racter.
This hath infpired me with the ambition and ex-
pectation of being helpful in training up as many
as are defirous of it, in this mod ufeful of all
fciences. For however perfectly it is known, and
however fteadily practifed by many who are adepts;
and notwithstanding there are fome young men, of
pregnant parts, who make a fudden and furprii.
proficiency, without much affiftance ; yet I have
Vol. VI. O
154 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
often obferved, tlr.it there are feveral perfons, who
err, in many in fiances, from the right path, boggle
at fundry particular Iteps of their leaders, and take
a long time before they are thoroughly confirmed
in their principles an.d practice. The fame perfons
alio, by an unliable conduct, or by an imprudent
or unfeafonable difcovery of their defigns, have
brought a reproach upon their party, and been
an obitru&ion to whatever work they had then in
hand.
Thefe bad efte&s, I humbly conceive, flow chief-
ly, if not only, from the want of a complete fyftem
of moderation, containing all the principles of it,
and giving a diftinct view of their mutual influence*
one upon another, as well as proving their reafon-
ablenefs, and (hewing, by examples, how they ought
to be put in practice.
There is no work of this kind, to my knowledge,
vet extant, which renders my prefent undertaking
of it the more laudable, and will, I hope, render it
the more acceptable.
I muft inform the reader, that after I was fully
convinced of the neceffity of forne fuch piece as
what follows, but before I entered upon it myfelf,
I earneftly intreated feveral of the moil; eminent
men of the moderate (lamp among us, thofe burn-
ing and mining lights of our church, who are, and
are efteemed to bo, our leaders, that fome of them
would fet about it. However, they all devolved it
upon me ; and made this fatisfying excufe foi
themlelvcs, that they were fo buficd in' a£Hn«
moderation, that they could not have time to write
unon it. This foon led me to. think, what woul<
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. I55
become of many noble defigns, and what advantage
our difcontented zealots might take, if any of* the
expert fteerfmen of this ecclefiaftical veftel of ours
ihould retire from the helm but fo long time as
would be neceflary to bring a work of fuch a
nature, to the perfe&ion in ftrength, fymetry, and
elegance, that the reader will perceive even this of
mine is arrived at,
I fhall now proceed to the principal part of the
work, after I have informed the reader of the plan
of it •, which is briefly this, to enumerate diftinctly,
and in their proper order and connection, all the
feveral maxims upon which moderate men conduct
themfelves : and forafmuch as the juftice of many
of them, being refined pieces of policy, is not very
evident at firft fight, I (hall fubjoin to each an
illuftration and confirmation of it, from reafon or
experience, or both. N. B. I (hall make but very
little ufe of Scripture, becaufe that is contrary to
fome of the maxims themfelves •, as will be feen in
the fequel.
M A X ITVI I.
All eccleftajlical perfons, cf whatever rank\ whet
principals of colleges , profejfors of divinity, miniflers,
or even probationers, that are fufpecled ofberefy% arc-
to be efleemed wen of great genius, vaft learnh
and uncommon ivor th ; and art , by all means, tc
fupported and protected.
ALL moderate men have a kind of fellow-feel-
ing with herefy, and as foon as they heat 1 one
fufpecled, or in danger of being proiecutcd ior it,
02
1J6 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTIC
tlouily and unanimoufly rife up in his defence.
I his fa£t is unqueftionable. I never knew a mo-
derate man in my life, that did not love and honour
a heretic, or that had not an implacable hatred at
the perfons and characters of herefy-hunters ; a
ne with which we have thought proper to ftig-
matize thefe fons of Belial, who begin and carry on
profecutions againft men forherefy in church-courts.
It is related of the apoftle John, and an ugly (lo-
ry it is, that upon going into a public bath, and ob-
ing the heretic Cerinthus there before him, he
retired with the utmoft precipitation, left the edifice
fhould fall, and crufh him, when in company with
:i an enemy of the truth. If the ftory be true,
the apoftle' s conduct was ridiculous and wild ; but
Dr Middleton has (hewn, that the ftory is not true ;
and indeed, the known benevolence and chanty of
John's writings make it highly improbable. How-
ever, not to enter into that controverfy, whether it
be true or not, the conduct of all moderate men is
directly oppofite.
As to the juftice of this maxim, many folid rea-
ions may be given for it Compaftion itfelf, which
»s one of the fined and moft benevolent feelings of the
human ieart, moves them to the relief of their d:f-
i relied brother Another very plain rcafon may be
n for it ; moderate men are, by their very name
I conftitution, the reverfe, in all refpeets, of bi-
gotted zealots. Now, it is well known, that many
e-f this laft fort, both clergy and common people
n they hear of a man fufpefted of hcrcfy, con-
ceive an averfion at him, even before they know any
thing of the cafe ; nor after he is acquitted (as the/
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. ' 157
are all of them commonly in our church-courts) can
they ever come to entertain a favourable opinion of
him. The reverfe of this then is, to be as early and
as vigorous in his defence, as they are in his prote-
ction, and as implicit in our belief of his ortho-
doxy, as they are in their belief of his error.
I remember, when I was difcourfing once to this
purpofe, a certain raw unexperienced perfon faid,
he had always thought, that not moderation, but
lukewarmnefs and indifference to truth, was the re-
verfe of exceflive zeal ; and that moderation was fi-
tuated in the middle betwixt the two. To whom I
anfwered, Young man, you do not reflect, that no
fierce man can be refilled but by one as fierce, nor
overcome but by one fiercer than himfelf ; if, there-
fore, no body would oppofe the zealots, but fuch
calm midimen as you mention, in every fuch inftance
the balance of power mud lean to their fide, and the
poor heretic muft fall a facrifice, to the no fmall de-
triment of the caufe of moderation ; which by the
bye, is commonly fupported by the heretics in theii
ftations, and therefore they deferve a grateful re-
turn.
This brings to my mind another reafori for the
maxim, viz. That heretics being fo nearly related
to the moderate men, have a right to claim their
protection out of friendship and perfonal regard.
This fcrves a very noble end; for it vindicates the
Christian religion from the objection of fome infidels,
who affirm, that it does not recommend pri\
friendfhip ; now moderate men having all a very
great regard to private friendihip, and perfonal con-
03
i;S ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
ne&ions, do by their practice, which is the mod fo-
lic! way, confute this (lander.
I may acid to thefe another argument for t>.
.: character of heretics, as afTerted in the maxim,
which I picked up from the preaching of a feccdi.
minifter. He told his hearers, that when the devil
looks out for an inftrument to propagate error, he
never makes choice of a weak filly man, but one
able and learned ; as well knowing, I fuppofe, that
though God can fupporthis caule by any inftrument
whatever, yet he needs always the belt and molt
:\ifiiciciU he can get. Now, though I hope no man
reckon me of this fanatic's principles, fo far as
to think the devil the fource of error \ yet the cita-
tion ferves my purpofe, as it fhews that he himfelf
was convinced of the ability and learning of heretics;
and all the world knows, that the teftimony of an
rnemy is the ftrongeft of all evidences upon a man's
i-de.
I (hall conclude this maxim with obferving, that
fuch tendernefs for heretics, however due from
ibme, is yet, in many of the moderate character, an
inftance of the mod heroic and generous friendfhip.
It is quite difinterefted, as they themfelves run not
the fmalleft hazard of ever being in the like circum-
stances. Heretics are commonly an honeft fort of
people, but with all their book learning, of no great
itock of prudence or policy. They publifh and af-
\ whatever they believe upon all points, without
confulering the reception it is like to meet with,
from thofe of oppofitc principles. They affront the
public to its face, which Lord Shaftefbury tells us
ht not to be done. On the other hand, men
EC CLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 1 59
thorough-paced in moderation, difcover their prin-
ciples only at fuch tinres, and to fuch perfons, as are
able to bear them. By this means they preferve
themfelves from herefy ; and indeed they cannot
poflibly fall into it unlefs by miftake •, in which cafe,
as foon as they are challenged, (if it is like to be attend-
ed with any temporal inconveniency) they deny it,
explain it away, or repent, and aik pardon.
In all this they follow the noble example of Mr.
who in the aflembly debates' upon ProfefTor
Simfon's affair, happening to fay fomething that
was challenged by one prefent as herefy, immediate-
ly replied, " Moderator, if that be herefy, I re-
nounce it."
M A X I M II.
When any man is charged with loofc practices , cr ten*
dencies to immorality, he is to be fcrcened and pro-
tected as much as poffible ; efpec tally if the faults laid
to his charge be, as they are incomparably well termed
in a fermon, preached by a hopeful youth that made
fome noife lately, " good humoured vices:*
1 HE reafon upon which this maxim is founded,
may be taken from the reafons of the former mu-
tatis mutandis ; there being fcarcely any of them
that does not hold equally in both cafes. A liber-
tine is a kind of practical heretic, and is to be treated
as fuch. Dr Tillotfon obferves in one of his fermons,
that the worft of all herefies is a bad life •, now, if
inftead of worft, which is an uncomely cxpreihon,
you would read greateit, in that paffage, then a li
tine is the greateit of all heretics, and to be honoured
103 CLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
in proportion. Even the apoftle Paul (who is very
feldom of any ufe to us in our reafonings) feems to
iuppofc, that they are men of moft knowledge who
are moft free and bold in their pradtice ; and
that they are only weak brethren, who are filled with
fcruples. The weak man is reftrained and confirmed
by his narrow confeience : but the ftrong man be-
lieveth that he may eat, and, by parity of reafon,
drink all things.
In order to underftand the nature of " good-hu-
moured vices/' the reader may pleafe to take notice,
that it is an obfervation of Lord Shaftefbury, that
" the beft time for thinking upon religious fubjedts,
is when a man is merry, and in good humour :'' and
fo far is this obfervation drawn from nature, that it
is the time commonly chofen for that purpofe, by
many who never heard of his lordfhip, or his writ-
ings. Whatever therefore, ferves to promote merri-
ment, and heighten good humour, mud fo far ferve
for the difcovery of religious truth. But as there are
many ways of making a perfon merry, which narrow-
minded people will call vice ; from thence, in com-
pliance with common language, arifes the new com-
pound M good-humoured vices." It is not, however
fo to be underftood, as if either the inventor of if,
or thofe who love and patronize him, mean any thing
by it but what is, " in their apprehenfion," both in-
nocent and laudable.
Let it alfo be obferved, that as gravity is almoft
a neceflary confequence of folitude, " good-humour-
ed vices" are certainly " focial pleafures,*" and fuch
as flow from, and fhew benevolence ; and this is an
affection for which our whole fraternity have I
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. l6l
higheft regard, infomuch that no furer mark can be
taken of a man's being one of us, than the fre-
quent returns of this expreflion in his difcourfes or
writings.
It will ferve further for the fupport of this maxim,
that according to modern difcoveries, there is a great
analogy between the " moral virtues," or if you
will, the " fcience of morals," and the M fine arts :"
and it is on account of this analogy, that mod of the
prefent reigning exprefiions upon the fubjecSr, of mo-
rals, are borrowed from the arts, as " beauty, order,
proportion, harmony, decency," &c. It is alfo ef-
tablifhed long fince, and well known as a principle
in the fine arts, that a certain freedom and boldnefs
of manner, is what chiefly conftitutes grace and
beauty. Why then fhould not approbation be
founded upon the fame grounds in both cafes ?
Why then fhould not a bold practice be as beau-
tiful and real, as a bold hand is in imitated life ?
-eipecially as all great geniufes have actually laid
claim to this as their peculiar privilege, not to be
confined to common forms •, and that in oppofition
to the bulk of mankind, who through want of taflc,
are not able to reliln the fined: performances in any
of the kinds.
I muft not, however, omit taking notice, to pre-
vent miftakes, of one exception that mult be made
from this maxim ; that is, that when the perfon to
whofe charge any faults are laid, is reputed ortho-
dox in his principles, in the common acceptation of
that word, or comes in by orthodox influence, in
that cafe they are all to be taken for granted a«
true, and the evil of them fet forth in the livelieft
coburs. In confequence of this, he is to be pro-
\
l62 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
fecutcd and torn to pieces on account of tli
crimes. But if it fo happen, that he cannot be
convicted upon a trial, then it is bed to make ufe
of thirfgs as they really are ; that is, to exprefs
fufpicions, to give ingenious and dubious hints, and
if poilible, ruin him without any trial at all. There
was a noble example of this given a few years ago,
in the cafe of a fettiement in the bounds of a pref-
bytery, very many of whom are eminent in mode-
ration. In that cafe, there were feveral faults laid
to the charge of the candidate : and yet, though he
himfelf very much infilled upon an inquiry into
their truth,' and a judgment upon their relevancy,
the prefbytery wifely refufed to do either the one
or the other, but left them to have their own
natural weight in fame, rumour, and converfation.
The neceffity of this exception is very evident :
for, in the fuppofed cafe, all the reafons for protec-
tion to the young man fail \ to fatisfy himfelf of
which, let the reader view thefe reafons, as they are
annexed to the firft maxim, and fave my book from
the deformity of repetition.
MAXIM III.
It is a neceffary part of the character of a moderate
man never to /peak of the Confffion of Faith but
ivith a fneer ; to give fly hints ', that he does not
thoroughly believe it : and to mate the word ortho-
doxy a term of contempt and reproach.
I HE ConfcfTion of Faith, which we are now all
laid under a difagreeable necefTity to fubferibe, was
framed in times of hot religious zeal ; and therefore
it can hardly be fuppofed to contain any tiling
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 163
agreeable to our fentiments in thefe cool and re-
frefhing days of moderation. So true is this, that
I do not remember to have heard any moderate
man fpeak well of it, or recommend it, in a fermon,
or private diicourfe, in my time. And, indeed,
nothing can be more ridiculous, than to make a
fixed ftandard for opinions, which change juft as
the fafhions of clothes and drefs. No complete
fyflem can be fettled for all ages, except the maxims
I am now compiling and illuftrating, and their great
perfection lies in their being ambulatory, fo that
they may be applied differently, with the change of
times.
Upon this head fome may be ready to objeft,
That if the Confeflion of Faith be built upon the
facred Scriptures, then, change what will, it can-
not, as the foundation upon which it refls, remains
always firm and the fame. In anfwer to this, I beg
leave to make a very new, and therefore ftriking
comparifon : When a lady looks at a mirror, {lie fees
herfelf in a certain attitude and drefs, but in her
native beauty and colour; mould her eye, on a fud-
den, be tinctured with the jaundice, fhe fees herfelf
all yellow and fpotted ; yet the mirror remains the
fame faithful mirror (till, and the alteration does not
arife from it, but from the objett that looks at it.
I beg leave to make another comparifon : When an
old philofopher looked at an evening-ftar, he beheld
nothing but a little twinkling orb, round and regu-
lar like the reit ; but when a modern news it with
a telefcope, he talks of phafes, and horns, and
mountains, and what not ; and this arifes not from
any alteration in the liar, but from hisfuperior aJEf-
164 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
tance in looking at it. The application of both thcie
fimilitudes I leave to the reader.
But befides thefe general reafons, there is one very
ftrong particuJar reafon why moderate men cannot
love the Confeffion of Faith; moderation fimply im-
plies-a large lhare of charity, and consequently a fa-
vourable opinion of thofe that differ fromour church ;
but a rigid adherence to the Confeffion of Faith,
and high efteem of it, nearly borders upon, or gives
great fufpicion of harfh opinions of thofe that differ
from us: and does not experience rife up andratify this
obfervation? Who are die narrow-minded, bigotted,
uncharitable perfons among us ? Who are the fevere
cenfurers of thofe that differ in judgment ? Who arc
the damners of the adorable Heathens, Socrates,
Plato, Marcus Antoninus, &c. ? In fine, who are
the persecutors of the inimitable heretics among our-
ielves ? Who but the admirers of this antiquated com-
pofition, who pin their faith to other men's fleeves,
and will not endure one jot lefs or different be-
lief from what their fathers had before them ! It is
therefore plain, that die moderate man, who defires
to inclofe all intelligent beings in one benevolent em-
brace, muft have an utter abhorrence at diat vile
hedge of diflin£Uon, the Confeffion of Faith.
I fhall briefly mention a trifling objection to this
part of our character. — That by our fubfeription we
Sacrifice fincerity, the queen of virtues, to private
gain and advantage. To which I anfwer, in the
firft place, That the objection proves too much, and
therefore muft be falfe, and can prove nothing : for,
allowing the juftice of the objection, it would fol-
low, that a vaft number, perhaps a majority, of the
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. idj
•clergy of the church of England are villains; their
printed fermons being, mam' of them, diametrically
cppofite to the articles which they fubfcribe. Now,
as this fuppofition can never be admitted by any
charitable man, the objection from whence it flows,
as a neceffary confequence, mufl fall to the ground.
But further, what is there more infincere in our
fubfcriptions, than in thofe expreffions of compliment
and civility, which all acknowledge lawful, although
they rarely exprefs the meaning of the heart ! The
defign is fufficiently underflood in both cafes ; and
our fubfcriptions have this advantage above forms of
compliment, in point of honefty, that we are at a great
deal of pains ufually to perfuade the world that we
do not believe what we fign ; whereas the ccmplai-
fant gentleman is very feldom at any pains about
the matter.
What is faid might fufEce in fo clear a cafe ; but
I am here able to give a proof of the improvement
of the age, by communicating to the reader a new
way of fubfcribing the Confeflion of Faith, in a per-
fect confiftency with fincerity, if that be thought of
any confequence : it is taken from the method of at-
tefting fome of our gentlemen elders to the general
aflembly. Many infift, that they ought t© be
tefted, and do atteft them, as qualified in all refpefts,
if the atteftors are wholly ignorant about the matte I ",
becaufe, in that cafe, there is no evidence to the
contrary, and the prefumption ought to lie c:; the
favourable fide. Now, as every new dilcow
fhould be applied to ail the purpofes for which it
may be ufeful, let this method be adopted, by
entrants into the miniftry, and applied to their iub-
Vol. VI. V
■l66 ECCLFslASTICAl. CHARACTERISTICS.
fcriptlon of the Confeffion of Faith. Nothing
more eafy than for them to keep themfelves wholly
lorant of what it contains; and then they may,
with a good confcience, fubfcribe it as true, becaufe
it ought to be fo.
MA X I M IV.
A good preacher mufl not only have all the above and
fubfequent principles of moderation in him, as the
fource of t very thing that is good; but mufl, over and
above, have the following fpecial marks andfigns of a
talent for preaching. I . His fubjecls mufl be con-
fined to foci a I duties. 2. He mufl recommend them
:'y from rational conf derations, viz. the beauty and
mely proportions of virtue, and its advantages in
. the prefent life, without any regard to a future fate of
more extended f elf inter cjl. 3. His authorities mufl
be drawn from heathen writers, none, or as few as
poffiblc, from Scripture. 4. He mufl be very unac- '
ceptable to the common people.
-I HESE four marks of a good preacher, or rules
for preaching well (for they ferve equally for both
purpofes) I (hall endeavour diltinftly to illuflrate
and confirm, that this important branch of my fub-
jecl may be fully undcrftood.
As to the firft of thefe rules, That a preacher's
fubjecls mud be confined to u fecial duties," it is
quite necefiary in a moderate man, becaufe his mo-
deration teaches him to avoid all the high flights of
evangelic enthufiafm, and the myfteries of grace,
which the common people are fo fond of. It may
'be obferved, nay, it is obferved, that ali of our ftamp
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. - I 67
avoid the word grace as much as poflible, and have
agreed to fubftitute the " moral virtues," in the
room of the " graces of the Spirit/' which is the
orthodox expreflion. And" indeed it is not in this
only, but in all other cafes, that we endeavour to
improve the phrafeology, and fhew, that bcf.
feiitiment, even in language itfelf, we are far fu-
perior to, and wifer than our fathers before us. I
could (hew this by a great many examples, but that
it would be too tedious ; and therefore only add, to
the one mentioned above, that where an ancient
orthodox man, or even an old fafhioned modern,
that thinks religion can never be amended, either
in matter or manner, would have faid " a great de-
gree of fancHfication," a man of moderation and
politenefs will fay, " a high pitch of virtue." Now,
as this is the cafe, it is plain, a moderate preacher
muft confine his fubje£ts to focial duties chiefly,
and not infift on fuch paffages of Scripture as will
fey the very repetition of them, contaminate his*
ftyle, and may perhaps diffule a rank fmell of or-
thodoxy through the whole of his difccurfe.
After all, I cannot refufc, that it is fhill a more
ellent way, for thofe who have talents equal :o
the undertaking, to feize an orthodox text, t
it quite away from its or fenfe, and cc
it to fpeak the main parts of our own fcheme. Thus
*a noble champion of ours chafe once for his fub*
., Rom. viii. 2. " For the law of
, in Chrift Jefus, hath made me free from
law of fin and death :" which
mann?r ; " the law of tl :it of •>,
moral fenfe; " in Chrift J<
V 2
\CTETUSTiCS.
the fum of the Chriftian religion, faff. The ad-
e of this way is, that it is tearing the weapons
of the orthodox, and turning them
againfl 'Ives. And it may perhaps, in til
have the effect to make our hearers affix our fenfe
.heir beloved Scriptures; or at leaft, which is
the next thing, prevent them from being able to
rind any other. — However, I muft acknowledge,
.vay of doing is not for every man's ma-
ement ; and therefore I continue my advice to
the generality, dill to adhere to the rule as firft
delivered.
The fecond rule will be eafily confirmed, That
duties are to be recommended only from " rational
confideratibns." What can be imagined more fool-
iili than to contradict this ? If there be any thing
a German different from rational confiderations, it
mufl be irrational, that is to fay, abfurd. It is in
part of our fcheme that we moderate men ob-
l a glorious triumph over our adverfaries and
uefpifers. Who but mufL fmile, when they hear
the contemptible, vulgar, ignorant, hot-headed
country elders, or filly women, led captive by them
at their will, faying, they do not love this rational
way of going to heaven !
Lut to explain this method a little further, tho
lational way of preaching is fometimes fet i^ oppofi-
iion to the pathetic way of raifing the pafliong.
Tins laft is what we greatly difapprove of-, there is
nethiag immoderate in the very idea of raifing the
Eons ; and therefore it is contrary to our charac-
: nor was it ever known that a truly moderate
i or moved any affection in his hearers,
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 169
;fs perhaps the affe£tion of anger againfl him-
felf. We leave that to your vehement trawlers, or
your whining lamenters, that are continually telling,
" they will fpend and be fpent," for the falvation
of their hearers, which Lord Shafteibury elegantly
derides, by calling it " the heroic paffion of faving
fouls." And let any unprejudiced perfon judge*
.whether there is not fhmething vaftly great, fome-
thing like an heroic fortitude in that man, that can
talk of future judgment, heaven and hell, with as
much coolnefs and indifference as if it were a com-
mon matter. To fay the truth, indeed, we do not
often meddle with thefe alarming themes. How-
ever, as I obferved upon the firlt mark of a good
preacher, that it is glorious to rob the orthodox of
a text, and make it bend to our plan ; fo it is alfo
an uncommon excellence to treat thefe fubje
with calmnefs, and to prove that we ought to do
fo. Thus a great proficient in our way, lately
preaching upon A£ts xxiv. 25. where Paul made
Felix to tremble by his difcourfe, proved from it,
that minifters ought not to raife the paflionsof their
hearers. An ignorant obferver would have thought
that the paflion of terror was raifed in Felix to a
great degree, and that he was little better than a
Cambuflang convift. But mark the lucky expref-
fion our hero got hold off " As he reafoned of
righteoufnefs," feV.,- as hereafoncd, that is, argued,
and proved by rational confiderations.
This example gives me a fine opportunity of
making a kind of contraft, and (hewing from fid,
the difference between an orthodox and a moderate
preacher. I myfelf heard one cf the fir ft kind, 1
P 1
ISXASrtC CrLRISTlCS.
the text juft now mentioned ; and his firft
. that the apoftle Paul was a faithful
" reprover ;" fpeakiag honae to Felix, i. Q( M righ-
tcoufncfs |? to convince him of any iniquity he Lad-
a guilty of in his government 2. Of " tempe-
rance ;" which he faid fliould be tranfiatcd M conti-
•ci was probably intended as a reproof to
i and DiuGIla, who were living in adultery.
| m.iin obfervation was, that Felix was
u convicted," but " ftifled,,, his convictions, and
delayed his repentance, faying, " Go thy way for
time; when I have a convenient fcalon, I will
for thee." Then followed a great deal of ftufF,
ch I do not incline to tranfcribe; but it was juft
what the vulgar call experimental preaching* I fup-
■ to diftinguifh it from rational.
But how contrary to this did our moderate friend?
lie firft obferved, that St. Paul was a " moral," or a
" legal preacher •," difcourfiug of t( righteoufnefs,"
and " temperance," without a word of " faith:" and
t;ien, that he was a " reafoning preacher," that did
not drive to raife people's paftions, but informed
their judgment. I was indeed a little disappointed
upon consulting the original, to find that the word
ufed, which is XuftXcytytmu, fignifies only " con-
ling Ins difcourie," and fo might be cither in
the " reafoning," or "pathetic" way ; but I was
■ by rtfle&ing, that the word evidently in-
both ; and fo " reafoning" being the belt, it
• be fuppefed the apoftle preferred it.
bly CO this rule, Lord Shaftefbury, and
a bright luminary in our own church,
j all moderate clergymen, not to
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. I 7 I
afreet that idle title of " ambafiadors," or M plenipo-
tentiaries from heaven," fo fondly claimed by zealot* ,
and I take the liberty to fuppoie, that the reaion of
the advice was the fame in both, ma " That
under this character zealots put on an air of autho-
rity, and deliver their meffage with pathos to which
they would otherwife have been ftrangers." His
lordfhip indeed explodes the conceit fufficiently, lie
afks, ^ Gentlemen, where is your commifiion ? how
has it been conveyed? where are the letters patent?
where the credential*?" with many more queftions,
eafier for his lordfhip to afk, than for some persons
to anfwer.
The third rule, viz. recommending fC virtue," from
the authority and examples of the Heathens, is not
only highly proper, becaufe they were very virtuous,
but hath this manifeft advantage attending it, that
it is a proper way of reafoning to two quite oppofite
kinds of perfons. One is, fuch as are real Chrif-
tians, who will be afliamed by the fuperior excellence
of mere heathens, as they call them, and whom they
fo much defpife. The other is, our prefent living
heathens, who- pay no regard to the ChfcHlian reli-
gion at all ; and therefore will only be r aoved bv 'he
authority of the perfons they eftoem. It is welt
known, there are multitudes in our iiland, who
reckon Socrates and Pla ) to have been much great-
er men than any of the ap (lies, although, (as the mo-
derate preacher I mention. -d lately toM his hear
the apoftle Paul had an univerfity education, ami
was inftru£tcd in logic by profedor Gamaliel. There-
fore let religion be conftantly and uniformly called
"virtue/' and let theHeathen phUofopher* be fet up as
1L CHARACTERISTIC
great p and promoters of it. Upon this head
muft particularly recommend M. Antoninus by name,
becaufe an eminent perfon of the moderate character
meditations is the BfesT book that ever
wril >t forming the heart.
But perhaps the Lid part of this third rule will be
thought to need moil illuflration and defence, viz-
Tint none at all, " or very little ufe is to be
made of Scripture.'' And really, to deal plainly,
great reafon of this is, that very few of the
Scripture motives and arguments arc of the mode-
rate (lamp; the molt part of them are drawn. from
orthodox principles : for example, the apoftle Paul
cannot even fay, u Hufbands, love your wives/*
but his argument and example comes in thefe words,
" as Chriit alio loved the church. " The apoftle
John alfo fpeaks in a very myfterious way of union
b Chrift, and abiding in him, in order to bring
forth fruit, which is his way of fpeaking for a vir-
tuous life. Now, let any indifferent perfon judge,
how this kind of expreilion, and others of a like na-
ture, fuch as mortifying the deeds of the body-
through the Spirit, wrould agree with the other
parts of our difcourfes : they would be like oppofite
kinds of fluids which will not compound ; they
would be quite heterogeneous, which is againft all
the rules of fine writing, and hinders it from being-
an uniform, beautiful, and comely whole. Horace,
in his Art of Poetry, gives this as his very firft ob-
fervation,
u ftumano cay.it i ccrvicem pictor equinam
* J ,?
Ecclesiastical cHArvACTtrusTics. 173
xh my learned reader cannot fail both to remem-
ber and unierftand, and which I defire him to ap-
ply to this fubjecl we are now upon. If it be Lid,
that fermons are not poems, and therefore not to be
xompofed by the rales of poetry : I anfwer, it is a
miitake ; many of our fermons, efpecially thofe com-
pofed by the younger fort among us, are poems; at
lead they are full of poetical flights, which comes
much to the fame thing : not to mention that the
rule agrees equally to profe and poetry. How often
have I heard parts of Mr Addiibn's Cato, Young's
Night Thoughts, and divers other poems, in fer-
mons ? 2nd to fay the truth, they were none of the
word parts of then. However* I would offer my
advice, as that of a perfon of fame experience, to
all young preachers, not to do Di Young the honour
of borrowing any thing from him again, becaufe he
is a fnarling, fallen, gloomy, melancholy mortal,
cites a great deal of Scripture -, and particularly, be-
caufe he has given a vile fneer at the practice I am
juft now recommending, in the following two li
of his Univerfal Pafiion.
When doctors Scripture for the classics quit,
Polite apostates from God's grace to wit.
I have only another advice to give upon this head,
and that is, That when young preachers think pro-
per to borrow from modern printed poems, they
would be pleafed to tranfpofe them a little, fo to
fpeak, that they may not be too eafily difcerned by
young gentlemen who read the magazines. H
ever, I am in great hopes we (hall ihortly be quite
.ve the neceffiry of borrowing from any body, in
*/4 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERI'sYrCS.
order to make our fermons poetry : there are fome
p ■■••fons of genius among us, that can make very
good poetry of their own ; of which I could pro-
duce fome recent inftances •, but I do not think it at
prtferit expedient.
The fourth and laft rule for a preacher, is, that
he mud " be very unacceptable to the people." The
Spectator, I remember, fome where fays, that mod
of the critics in Great Britain feem to adt as if the
firft rule of dramatic writing were " not to pleafe.'*
Now, what they make the firft rule of writing plays,
I make the laft rule for compofm- fermons •, not as
being the leaft, but the moft important. It is in-
deed the grand criterion, the moft indifpenfable rule
of til. Though one fhould pretend to adhere to all
the former rules, and be wanting in this alone, he
would be no more than " a founding brafs, or a tink-
ling cymbal f- pardon the expreflion, the importance
of the matter requireth it. I (hall put a cafe : fup-
pofe a man mould have the approbation of the very
bed judges, viz. Thofe whofe tafte we dfarfelVeS
allow to be good, if at the fame time he happens
to be acceptable to the common people, it is a (ign
that he muft have fome fubtile refined fault, which
has efcaped the obfervation of the good judges afore-
faid ; for there is no man even of our own fraterni-
ty, fo perfeft and uniform in judging right, as the
common people are in judging wrong.
I hope there is little need of afligning reafons
for this great chara£teriftic of the art of preaching:
I fuppofe it will be allowed to be, if not altogether,
at leaft next to felf-evident : all the leveral reafons
that have been given for the particular maxims of
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 17J
moderation, concur in eftablifhing this ^ for the
people are all declared enemies of moderation, in its
principle and practice ; and therefore if modera-
tion be right, they mud be wrong. There is a
known ftory of a Heathen orator, who, when the
common people gave a fhout of applaufe, during
his pronouncing an oration, immediately turned
about to a friend, and afked him, what miftake he
had committed. Now if an audience of vulgar
Heathens was allowed to be fo infallibly wrong in
their judgment, the fame thing muft hold, a for-
tiori, in aR audience of vulgar Chriftians.
From this it evidently follows, that a popular
preacher eflentially fignifies a bad preacher *, and it
is always fo underftood by us, whenever we ufe the
exprefiion. If we but hear it reported of any one,
that he is very popular among the lower fort, we
are under no difficulty of giving his character,
without haying heard him preach ourfelves. In
this cafe, fame is a certain guide to truth, by being
inverted ; for we deteft and defpife him, precifely
in the fame proportion that the people admire him.
On the other hand, the truly moderate man is not
only above the applaufe of the multitude, but he
glories in their hatred, and rejoices in himfelf, in
proportion as he has been fo happy as to provoke
and difoblige them. Of this I could give feveral
notable examples, were it not that it mult certainly
offend their modefty, not only to praife them in
print, but even to publifh their higheft virtue*
But now, upon the whole, as a great critic
obferves, that there is fometimes nmre beauty
{hewn in a compofition, by receding from the rules
176 cLrsi.urrcAL characteristic*.
of art, when an important point is to be gained,
than by ftri&ly adh< to them : fo, all thefe
rules notwithftanding, it ihall be allowable for any
-moderate man, upon an extraordinary emergency,
to break them for a good end : as for inftance, he
may fpeak even in Whitefield's ftyle, when his
fettlemcnt has the misfortune to depend upon the
people ; which I have known done with good fuc-
cefs. We are alfo well fatisficd, that Mr. T r
of Norwich, and fuch like firft-rate writers, fhould
make pompous collections of Scripture-texts, ars
their truly laudable intention is, by altering Chrif-
tianity, to reconcile it to moderation and common
lenfe , and to find out a meaning to words wrhich
the writers of them, as living in the infancy of the
church, had not difcernment enough to intend.
To conclude this maxim, it would be too formal
for me, and too tedious to the reader to enumerate
ail the objections that are, by fome, raifed againft
our way of preaching : I mall therefore mention
but one, and fhew it is falfe ; hoping that the
reader will fuppofe there is no more foundation for
any of the reft. It is alledged, there is no method
in our difcourfes, but that they confift in random
flights, and general declamations. Nothing more
untrue. The polite reader, or hearer, knows that
there may be an excellent ;:nd regular method,
where there are no formal diftinction6 of Grftly,
feccndly, and thirdly ; but, to cut off all occafion
of cavil, let the world hereby know, that one of
our mod famed preachers chofe once for ;i;s text,
John xi. 29. and of that veife tlu following words
" He (linked!." He obferved, we hud there (or
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. I 77
thereabouts) a description of the threefold ftate of a
bad man : firft, he fickened ; fecondly he died \
thirdly, he flank. This I take to have been an
accuracy in point of method, to which it will not
be eafy to find a parallel.
maxim v.
A rninifter mufl endeavour to acquire as great a degree
of politenefs, in his carriage and behaviour , and to
catch as much of the air and manner of a fine gentle-
man ^ as poljlbly he can.
JL HIS is ufually a diftinguiihing mark between
the moderate and the orthodox -9 and how much we
have the advantage in it is extremely obvious. Good
manners is undoubtedly the moil excellent of all
accomplishments, and in fome meafure fupplies the
place of them all when they are wanting. And fure-
ly nothing can be more neceflary to, or more orna-
mental and becoming in a minifler : it gains him
eafy accefs into the world, and frees him from that
rigid feverity which renders many of them fo odious
and deteftable to the polite part of it. In former
times, miniilers were fo monkifh and reclufe for
ordinary, and fo formal when they did happen to ap-
pear, that all the jovial part of mankind, particular-
ly rakes and libertines, fhunned and fled from them ;
or, when unavoidably thrown into their companv,
were conftrained, and had no kind of confidence to
vepofe in them; whereas now, let a moderate, mo-
dern, well-bred minifler go into promifcuous com-
pany, they (land- in no manner of awe, and
even fwear with all imaginable liberty. This gives
Vol. VI. O
I 78 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
the minifter an opportunity of underftariding their
racier, and of perhaps fometimes renfoning in an
eafy and genteel manner againft (wearing. This,
though indeed it feldom reforms them, yet it is as
feldom taken amifs; which mews the counfel* to
have been admin idered with prudence.
How is it poiTible that a minifter can underftand
wickednefs, unlefs he either pra&ifes it himfelf (but
much of that will not yet pafs in the world) or al-
s the wicked to be bold in his prcfence ? To da
".-wife, would be to do in practice what I have
known narrow-minded bigotted ftudents do as to
fpcculation, viz. avoid reading their adverfaries books
becaufe they were erroneous ; whereas it is evident
no error can be refuted till it be underftood.
Th^ fetting the different characters of minifters
in immediate oppofition, will put this matter pail all
doubt, as the fun of truth rifing upon the liars of
error, darkens and makes them to disappear. Some
there are, who may be eafily known to be minifh
by their very -drefs, their grave demure looks, anil
their confined precife converfation. How contempt-
ible is this ! and how like to fome of the meaneft
employments among us \ as failors who are km
by their rolling walk, and taylors by the (hi
fhrug of their moulders! But our truly accompli.:
clergy put oiT fo entirely every thing that is peculiar
to their profeffion, that were y e them in ihe
ftreets, meet with them at a vifit, or fpend an < ven-
:i them in a tavern, ycu would not once fuf-
peel ihem for men of that character. Agreeably to
tiiis, I remember an excel! pg faid by a gen-
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTIC I 79
ileman, in commendation of a minifter, " that he had
nothing at all of the clergyman about him."
I ihali have done with this maxim, when I ha
given my advice as to the method of attaining to it ;
which is, That ftudents, probationers, and young
clergymen, while their bodies and minds are yet
flexible, ihould converfe and keep company, as much
as may be, with oilicers of the army under five and
twenty, of whom there are no fin all number in
nation, and with young gentlemen of fortune
cularly fuch as, by the early and happy death of their
parents, have come to their eftates before they ar-
rived at the years of majority. Scarce one of t'nefe
but is a noble pattern to form upon j for they have
had the opportunity of following nature, which is the
all comprehenfive rule of the ancients, and of ac-
quiring a free manner of thinking, fpeaking, and acr-
ing, without either the pedantry of learning, or the
itirrhefs contracted by a flrict adherence to the max-
ims of worldly prudence.
After all, I believe I might have fpared myfelr
the trouble of inferring this maxim, the prefent riling
generation being of themfelves fufliciently difpofed
to obferye it. This I reckon they have, either con-
Itituticnally, or perhaps have learned it from the ini-
mitable Lord Shaftefbury, who, in fo lively a m
ner fets forth the evil of univerfities, and recom-
mends converfaticn with the polite Peri; , as
the only way of arriving at true knowledge.
MAXIM VI.
// is not only unncccjfary for a : mch
\tflingj but be ought to be filled nuith a a
180 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS;
*IJ kinds of learning but one ; which is to under fl.;
Leibnitz s fcheme well ; the chief parts of wh'u
beautifully pahttedj andfo I bu/t) ifttrig by Lord
v, and which has beenfo well licked into fr?n
*"d method by the late immortal Mr H //.
A HIS maxim is neceflary, becaufe without it the
former could not be attained to. Much fludy is a
• • t enemy to politenefs in men, jufl as a great core
of houfehcld affairs fpoils the free cai ir of a
fine lady : and whether politenefs is to be facrifi
to learning, let the Impartial world judge. Befides
the fcheme which I have permitted the moderate
i to itudy, doth actually fuperfede the ufe of all
f learning, becaufe it contains a knowledge of the
whole, and the good of the whole; more than which,
I h p£, will be allowed to be not only needlefs,
irnpoffi!
This fcheme excels in brevity : for it may be un-
Jerftcod in a very fhort time ; which, I fuppofe,
mted a Certain clergyman to fay, that any ftu-
iS much divinity as he would ever
1611 for in fix weeks. It is alto quite
eable to the improvements that have been made
in arts and fciences of late years •, for every thin
now more compendioufly taught, and more fupcrh-
\j underilood than formerly, and yet as well and
er to all the purpofes of life. In the very me-
mic arts, laborious diligence gives way to elegance
eafe \ as the lumpifh, ftrong, old Gothic build-
ings, to more genteel, though {lighter, modern ones.
There have been fchemes published for teaching chil-
dren to red/ y of diver fioa> Every year gives us
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. lot
a fhorter method of learning fome branch of know-
ledge. In fhort, in thefe latt days the quinteflence
of every thing has been extracted, and is prefented
us, as it were, in little phials ; io that we may come
to all learning by one a& of intuition. Agreeably
to all this, have we not (een in fa ft, many ftudents
of divinity brought up in hot-beds, who have be-
come fpeakers in general ailemblies, and ftrenuous
fupporters of a falling church, before their beards
were grown, to the perfect aftonifhment of an ob-
ferving world ?
I muft alfo obferve, that there is a providential
fitnefs of that fcheme, in another refpeft, for the
prefent age and time. When the fees of colleges
and expence of boarding is raifed ; when the rate
of living is quite altered, and, when a fpiteful
landed intereft, and a heedlefs parliament, have re-
fufed to grant any augmentation to our ftipends $
there is no other way remains for us, but to cheapen
our education by taking lefs time to it, and arriv-
ing at the point defigned by a nearer cut. Then
there will be no need at all for the critical fludy of
the Scriptures, for reading large bodies of divinity,,
for an acquaintance with church-hiftory, or the
writings of thofe poor creatures the Chriftian fa-
thers : but all is abforbed into the good of the
whole ; of which I may fay ferioufly and foberly,
what Dr. Tiilotfon fays ironically of tranfubftan-
tiation, that it is not only true, but it is all truth,
and will now fuller any thing to be true but it-
felf.
We find that moderate men hr.ve moftly, by con-
ftitution, too much fpirit to fubmit to the drudgery
Q3
iSZ ECCLCSIA AllACTERISTICJ.
of the kinds of learning above-mentioned, and d
i nil who do fo. There is no controverfy now
about Arian, Arminian, Pelagian, or Soeinian ten
but only whether this good of the whole fcheme
hold-. This Shews, by the bye, the injuftice and
malignity of thofe poor beings the Seceders, who
cry out of erroneous doftrines in the church, and
allert, tTiat Arminianifm is publicly taught by many.
It is known, that they mean by the moderate men,
when they fpeak (o j and yet I will venture
irm, that there are not a few young men of thai
racier, who, if they were ailced, could not tell
what the five Arminian articles are, fo little do they
<rd Arminianifm. I myfelf, the reader v
perceive, know the number of them •, but whether
[ know any more about them or not, I ihall -pre-
serve as a Secret in my own mind. It will per!
be bl I againft this maxim, That the moderate
party commonly fet up on a pretence of being more
Learned than their adverfaries •, and are, in i
thought to be very learned in their fermons by the
jar, who, for that reafon hate them. Now, as
to their pretending to be more learned than their
Tiartes, it is moft juft ; for they have, as has
been (hewn, got hold of the fum-total of learning,
although they did not calculate it themfelves. And
as to their being thought learned in their fermons
by the vulgar, it is Sufficient for that purpofe that
they be unintelligible. Scattering a few phrafes in
their fermons, as harmony, order, proportion, taite,
fenfe of beauty, balance of the affections, &c. will
eafily pevfuade the people that they are learned :
aad this f m is, to all intents and purpofef,
ECCLESIASTICAL CH 'ERISTICS. l8j
the fame thing as if it were true. It is one of
thofe deceitful feelings which Mr, H — , in
■ ys, has {hewn to be fo beautiful and ufefuL
Thefe phrafes they may eafily get in books not:
above the fize of an octavo ; and if they inclir..
be very deep, they may get abundance of citations
from the ancient Heathen authors in Cudwoi ;1
Intellectual Syftem, and moftly tranflated to their
hand.
I (hall now fubjoin a fhert catalogue of the moil.
neceflary and ufeful books, the thorough under-
standing of which will make a truly learned moderate
man: Leibnitz's Theodicee, and his letters, Shaftei-
bury's Characterises, Collins's Inquiry into Human
Liberty, all Mr. H n's pieces, Christianity as
old as the Creation, D — n's Beit Scheme, and
II— 's Moral E%s* The *vo lift are Scots
* It hath been suggested to me, that another author of
cur own country ought to have been added to the above
catalogue; but I judged it irnprcper, for two reasi
One is, that I do not find that author in so high esteem
among the moderate, as to deserve a place in so very
nice and chosen a collection. But the other, and princ
reason is, that the author hen; intended, professetb him-
self a sceptic ; the meaning of which, if I understand it
right, is, either that he does net lx lievje there is a
thing as truth, or that he him t If is but peeking after
truth, and has not yet found it. Now this is by no mc
rhe ca.-e v. ith the moderate, wjio are ilready in possession
of the ne plus ultra pf human kn . Fur though
some of their doctri - changeable, by reason of the
essential difference of persons, thinj s ; yet, dur-
ing the \ cried of any e no where known
stronger, or severer dogmatists ; as i from t:
negket of lauhtr. Laqvu
I 84 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
authors ; and it is with pleafure I can aflurc
countrymen, they are by far the moil perfedt of
them all, carrying the confequence of the fcheme
to the moft ravifliing height. As to poetry, it will
be fufficient to read " the Pleafures of the Imagina-
tion," and the Tragedy of Agis," if it be publiihed ;
becaufe in it dramatic poetry is carried to the
fummit of perfection : and it is believed, by the
author's friends, that there never will be a tragedy
publiihed after it, unlefs by fomebody that is de-
lirious. But whether the knowledge of this effect,
and the compaflion thence arifing to future authors,
may not, in a perfon of fo much humility and
felf-denial, and of fo confummate and difinterefted
benevolence, as that theatrical divine, wholly pre-
vent the publication, I cannot tell ; and therefore
muft leave it to be brought forth Ly the midwife
Occafion, from the womb of Time*.
But to give a flill higher proof of my deep con-
cern for the improvement and edification of ingeni-
ous youth, I have taken the pains to extra £t very
faithfully the fum and fubftance of die above library,
and do here prefent it to the world, under a name
which is not without a meaning, though not intel-
ligible to all, viz.
opposers. — In a certain university, about seven years ngo
(how it is now, I cannot so certainly tell) if a man had
spoken honourably of Dr Samuel Clarke, it cannot be con-
ceived with what derision he was treated fry every boy of
sixteen, who was wiser than to pay any regard to such a
numscul, an enemy to the doctrine of necessitj-, and wholly
ignorant of the a use.
* Agis, a tragedy, was published in the year 1758.
ecclesiastical characteristics. i s5
The Athenian Creed.
I believe in the beauty and comely proportions of
Dame Nature, and in almighty Fate, her only parent
and guardian 5 for it hath been irioft gracicufly
obliged (bleiTed be its name) to make us all very
good.
I believe that the univerfe is a huge machine,
wound up from ever lading by neceffity, a
fifting of an infinite number of links and chains, each
in a progreffive motion towards rhe zenith of per-
fection, and meridian of glory ; that I myfelf am a
little glorious piece of clockwork, a wheel within a
wheel, or rather a pen,' him in this grand machine,
r)gii j hither and thithei by the different impulfes
of fate and deftiny ; that my foul (if I have any) \s an
imperceptiL . ; bundle of exceeding minute ccrpufcles,
much (malter than t re £n^ft Holland fend ; and r
certain s in a very eminent ftation, are no-
lie but a huge collection of neceifary agents,
who can do nothing at all.
I believe that there is no ill in the nniverfe, nor
any fuch thing as virtue ahfolutely confulcred ; that:
thofe things vulgarly called fins, are only errors in
the judgment, and foils to fet off the beauty of na-
ture, or pitches to adorn her face j that the whote
race of intelligent beings, even the devils thomfelves,
(if there are any,) (trail finally be happy; fo t
Judas Tfcariot is by this time a glorified faint, and
good for him that he hath been born.
In fine, I believe in the divinity of L. S > life
faintfnip of Marcus Antoninus, the p ity and
fublimity of A e, and the perpetual duration of
186 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Mr. H n*s works, notwithstanding their prefi
tendency to oblivion. Amen.
M A X I M VII.
A mod rate man mujl endeavour , as much a: he he
fomely can, to put off any ap't es cf devdticri^
all unnecejfary exercijej '§f religious ivc
ivhct lie or p) ivdte.
1 FULLY intended, upon this part of my. fubjecr,
to have been at fome pains in (hewing the great in-
decency of a grave and apparently ferious carriage,
or of introducing any religious fubje£t of convcrfa-
tion into promifcuous company : but when I con-
fider how fuccefsfully all vifible religion was at-
tacked, both by wits and preachers, immediately
after the reftoration of King Charles II. how con-
ftantly any difpofition of this fort hath been borne
down bv all men of tafte ever fince that time, which
is now near a whole century ; as alfo how feldom
any religious difcourfe is to be met with at this d
either among clergy or laity, I fhall only rejoice in
niyfelf, and congratulate my reader, upon the purity
of the times, and proceed to the other part of the
maxim.
Now, as to the public cxercife of religious wor-
fhip ; although a certain meafure of them is reafon-
able enough, and though the office by which we
have our bread, obliges us to be often engaged in
them; yet a truly moderate man, without renoun-
cing his calling, has it in his power to pare off a gr
many fuperfluities with which the orthodox clergy
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. I 87
are apt to overload religion, and render it unpalata-
ble to the polite world.
Being members of church judicatories, and, we
hope the majority in mod of them, the moderate
party can difcourage and ftifle all motions for ex-
traordinary fafts or thankfgivings ; which experience
has taught us ferve only to promote idlenefs, and
ducourage induftry. Upon the day that Henry V.
fought at Agincourt, a folemn fall was kept in Eng-
land for his luccefs ; and fome hiftorians are plea-
fed to fay, that the prayers of the nation had fome
fhare in procuring the victory ; but later hiftories
have difproved this ; and now it can be demon-
ltrated upon paper, that a faft day in Scotland lofes
50,0001. to the nation, while nobody can make
any calculation what it wins. For this reafon, it
was very refrefliing to hear, as we did lately, that
tant and northerly corners of
there is a fet of clergy of an heroic fpi-
j are refolved to reform their people, and beat
tn out cf that unpolite and barbarous inclination,
f them ftill retain, of Iiearing fern:
view to the fame good end, we can curtail
bufinefs at home, both as to the number and
jth of our pulpit performances. In our own fa-
ll it would not perhaps yet be conveni-
ent to i the beau mo: very quickly, in
the worfhip of God altogether ; ye:
.es, fometimes omit it, through hurry
mfincfe, ac other times be dropping, now
fome parts of it ; and in gentlemen's
, take care to give difereet intimations that we
them out of their ordinary v.
X 88 CI.E5IA5TICAL CHARACTERISTIC..
iccafion the leaf! interruption to the mirth of the
company.
'jmetimes indeed it may happen, by a concur-
;e of circumitanccs, that one of us may, at bed-
3 be unequally yoked with an orthodox brother,
who may propofe a little unfcafonable devotion be-
tween ourfelves, before we lie down to deep j but
there are twenty ways of throwing cold water upon
i a motion; or, if it mould be infifted upon, I
Id recommend a moderate way of complying with
it, from the example of one of our friends, who, on a
cccaf.on, yielded fo far, that he ftood up at the
back of a chair, and faid, a O Lord, we thank thee
41 for Mr Bayle's Dictionary. Amen." This was
fo far from fpoiling good company, that it contribut-
ed wonderfully to promote fecial mirth, and fweet-
ened the young men in a mod agreeable manner for
their reft. Whatever is forced is unnatural, and
ought to be avoided •, and therefore, what the Puri-
tan faid of fquare caps, we may apply to many modes
of devotion, " That he would not wear theft), be-
caufe his head was round."
The neceflity of fuch a conduct cannot be denied,
when it it is confidered what effect the length and
frequency of public devotion has had in driving mod
of the faihionable gentry from our churches altoge-
ther ; and tint even fuch of them as ftili vouchfafe
their company fometimes, are yet driven away from
the facrament of the Lord's fupper, where the fer-
vice is expedted to be more tedious and tirefomc.
Now, the only way to regain them to the church, is
to accommodate the worfhip, as much as may be, to
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 189
their tafte : the manner of doing which is fo well
known, that I will not fpend time in explaining it.
I confefs there has been fometimes an ugly objec-
tion thrown up againft this part of my argument,
viz. That this defertion of public worfhip by thofe
in high life, feems, in fact, to be contemporary with,
and to increafe, in a pretty exact proportion, to the
mpts that have been, and are made to fuit it to
their tafte. It is aflerted, that they are led to fuch
a conduci, not by the dictates of their reafon, but
by the depravation of their hearts ; and therefore
make ufe of the behaviour of the clergy, as an ex-
cufe and juflification of their conduft. In anfwer
to this objection, I fhall not pretend to fay what uie
gentlemen may fometimes make of our condudt, for
I have known them very often prepofterous in their
j udgment, condemning others for what they freely in-
dulge in themfelves, and no lefs unthankful, render-
ing evil for good. But ftill I fay, there remains no
ftrength in the objection to a man of moderate prin^
ciples ; for it plainly comes much to the fame thing
at laft, whether the mountain comes to the moufe,
or the moufe to the mountain. If I fliould meet a
friend half-way, that had got at a diftance from me,
though he fliould not move a foot, I am fure we
fliould be nearer one another, than if I had kept my
place as well as he.
But whatever be in this, I mud acknowledge, that
to be conftantly whming and praying, looks fo ex-
tremely orthodox-like, that I cannot help conceh
a prejudice at it, for this very reafon ; and I doub:
not but every moderate man, will have the very feme
fellow-feeling. In truth, a great abundance of
Vol. I. R *
79° ;:iu$Ti.
votion fa icy to i with v
o would maintain his moderation,
had beft keep out of the of fuch enfnaring in-
fluence. B • id , it h is been an bid remark, and I
td fufpcfl tHere is fome ground'for it, that lot
em of divinity he will, it is
-ble to piv.v but according to the orthodox fvf-
And what ole pains had been taken
f our friends, to avoid fome of this incon-
:t ; yet, from what I have obferved iff the
Jccefsful of them, I mult own, I can at pre-
i no oiher remedy but to deal as little that \
L$ poihble.
M A X I M VIII.
;/r, wild are the principal caufes
be ore m r for judgment^ the only
to ■, wJjo the patron and the
./is oft
JL HAT this maxim is invariably obferved by all
moderate men is certain, and may be attested by all
that ever were prefent at a General Aflembly oft!
national church. The cafe is not now as forme;
when prefentations were held a grievance ; for a
prefentation is " all in all" to a moderate man : ?..
when there is no prefentation, the greatnefs and no-
bility of the heritors are upon one fide. I was wit*
> once to a caufe mif*
carried) but there was a noble (land made for it by
the moderate party, becaufe there was a lord upon
the fide of the minority, although he hzi no ;
:i.TLSIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. I<)I-
II in the parifn, but a fmali bit of ground which
had got from a neighbour, iii order to run a
:e ilraight. This appearance greatly rejoiced me,
it was a token to what perfection the fpirit of
moderation was arrived.
There are many reafons upon which this maxim
is founded ; ; taxable hatred we bear to
the ttd common people, and their con-
mt$ which has been illuiiirnt-
ed above. As this is fo very evident, I cannot
pafs it without expressing my grief and aftonifh-
ment, that fo clearsighted an author, and in all
els fo agreeable to our fentiments, as lor .
tefbury, mould have laid, in I y on t'r
m of Wit and Humour, that it c<1 belongs to \
liaviih principles to affect a fuperiority over the
[gar^ and to defpife the multitude. " This hath
made me doubt the truth of an aiTertion of Mr G.
L. one of our own difciples, that perfect!: . fin-
able in this life ;" for, if ever any one attained to
perfection, furely lord Shaftefbury was the man.
But, to leflen the difficulty a little, it is probable he
had fomething in his v: ite different from
Cling of kirks, when he wrote in this' manner ; for
had he lived in our times, and been an heritor in
Scotland, I can hardly allow myielf to think, thac
r he would . ired on the fide of the
Chr people ; though, without all queition, he
would have been chofen an elder, and fent up, " du-
ly attefted,'' to the General Affembly.
But to return: The natural refpe& we owe to
thofe in great and high dat:
niony of it required in the Kri
R 2
?9* EfCLESIASTTCAL CHARACTERISTICS.
and effential difference between gentry and common
people, which ought to be particularly kept up here.
For this, we have the authority of a certain worthy
iaird in the country, who always maintained upon his
mind a fenfe of his dignity, not as a man, but as a
gentleman. Of this difpofition he gave the follow-
ing laudable inflance : Being a member of the kirk-
ieifion in his parifh, the excife-officer happened to
come before them for fornication : and befides the
ecclefialtica! cenfure, it was thought proper to ap-
ply to the civil magiftrate to get him fined accord-
ing to law ; but as the law appoints different fines
for men in different ftations, when fome propofed
he fhould be fined at the rate of a gentleman, the
worftiipful member above-mentioned, though known
to be very zealous againft vice, flrenuoufly oppofed
his having fo much honour, and gave the following
excellent rcafon for it : " Since God Almighty has
been pleafed to make a diftin&ion between gentle-
men and other men, why fhould not we keep up this
diftincHon in all cafes ?" And fo he was fined only
as a commoner.
Another thing ftrongly pleads for gentlemen hav-
ing the chief hand in fettling kirks, that now-a-days
very few of our principal gentry attend ordinances,
or receive any benefit by a minifter after he is fettled,
unlefs perhaps talking of the news at a private vifit,
or playing a game at back-gammon : and therefore
it is but fair, that in lieu of the edification of the
«:ommon people, they fhould have the honour or
profit of conferring the benefice. I fhall only fur-
ther add, that having no view of attending upon him
for ordinary, they niuft be the bed judges of hi$
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. I93
preaching gifts, as being mod difinterefted : for
which reafon, non-refiding heritors, inftead of de-
ferving to be cut out altogether, as the ftupid and
undifcerning orthodox would have it, are by much
to be preferred to thofe that refide.
The reader will eafily perceive, that I have here
given much better reafens for this condu£t than
thofe commonly affigned, viz. the law, in the cafe
of patrons ; and the payment of the ftipend, in the
cafe of heritors. For, as to the firft of thefe, it is
quite from the purpofe 5 for the law maintains its
own ground as far as it goes, and is irrefiftible :
The only queftion is, How we (hall a£l as to what
is left to us to determine ? If the law hindered us
to determine on any fide we pleafed, fuch caufes
never would be pleaded before us. As to the
other, about the heritors paying the ftipend, it is
not juft ; for the whole nation pays it : the heritor
gets his lands with that burden upon them at firft :
and when one buys land from another he never
pays for the ftipend : fo really an heritor, is never a
penny the poorer of the ftipend, except that hap-
pening commonly to fee the money firft, he may
perhaps be forry that any body fhould get it but
himfelf. However, though thefe reafons be not
fufficient at bottom, I deny not but it may be very
proper to affign them to fuch as are ignorant
enough to yield to them, or who have fo fqueamifh
ftomachs as not to be able to digeft; the folid rea-
fons upon which I have grounded my maxim. It
is with the mind as with the body, it muft be fed
with fuch things as it is able to bear, and as -will-
be ft agree with its frame and conftitution.
R3
rCCLE£r.\L,YlCAL CHARACTERISTICS
MAXIM IX.
While a fett lenient is carrying on, tie candidate againjl
:m there is a Jlrong oppofition from the pi
mujt be looked upon, and every where declared to be,
a per/on of great worth, and remarkable abilities ;
provided always, that if ever the fame per fen, after
he is fettled, be at pains, and fuccecd in gaining the
peoples9 s affection, he f ball then fall as much below the
ordinary Jlandard in his characler, as before he was
raifed above it.
JoOTH parts of tliis maxim will appear very rea-
sonable to all that fee with our eyes. The people
being againft a man, is a certain fign of his being a
good preacher, as has been formerly proved : it is
alio a pretty fure ilgn of his being of moderate
principles, " which make the comers thereunto per-
fect j" and thefe two things are fufneient to juilify
us in raifing his character. It is indeed often abfo-
lutely neceiliry, when a procefs is in agitation, that
it may help him out with a fcanty concurrence, and
have an influence upon the church courts, which
are compofed of a mixed multitude. Nor is it eafy
to conceive, how excellent and well invented a wea-
pon this is, the giving a man an extraordinary and
high chara&er. It neceffarily imprints a kind of
veneration of him on the minds of his judges ; and
hath this peculiar advantage, that there is no par-
lying of it : for whatever fome few of different
iciples may think, they dare not plainly contra-
dl(fl it, — Every man has it in his power to fpeak
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. I95
well of one another, but nobody mud take the li-
berty to fpeak ill ©f a man in a public court, unlefs
he can alfo venture to give him a libel. Many a
time have I heard young men highly extolled in
church courts, when their fettlement was in depen-
dence, who, in ftri£t. truth, were but middling kind
of men, and fome of them very heavy, who after-
wards proved no fmall incumbrance upon the mo-
derate body.
As to the other part of the maxim, taking away
their char after for ability when they apoftatize to or-
thodoxy, this will be eafily accounted for, if it be
remembered how they came by it. It was freely
given them ; and therefore it may be taken away
at pleafure : It was given to bring them in as an
additional strength to the moderate interefl ; and
therefore, when they foriake that intereft, it is
butjuft to deprive them of it. If any fhall ob-
ject, that this is not agreeable to the ftrict rules
of veracity, I defire it may be remembered, that
die prefent fafhionable fcheme of moral philofo-
phy is much improved in comparifon of that which
prevailed fome time ago. Virtue does not now con-
fift in " adding agreeably to the nature of things,"
as Dr. Clarke affirms ; nor in " acting according to
truth," which an old fc ho ol-m after, one Woollalton,
once wrote a book to prove *, but in " the good of
the whole j" and therefore an illuftrious and noble
end fanctifies the means of attaining it. Our fenti-
ments, in this refpeft, are defcribed by an anonymous
poet, who, I believe meant no good to us -y how-
ever it points out the character pretty plainly thus :
I96 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
" To second him rose surly Peter,
" An a: ;ot for good-nature :
" That trutli should valued be by measure,
•• And weight, he thought ;
u That inch of truth, in courtes}r,
4* To span of interest should give wny ;
" And pound of gain, for ounce of Ik-,
;* Is cheaply bought ."
If it be further objected, That flill this only fa-
tisfies ourfelves, whereas in thecafe in hand, it is
neceflary to fatisfy the world. As to this, we can
freely fay, that the man was good, but now he is
bad ; and that is no contradiction : for though the
Confeffion of Faith maintains the infallible perfe-
verance of the faints in grace, yet we never affirm-
ed the neceflary perfeverance of men in moderation,
thefe two things being entirely diftinct the one
from the other. Some of your friends do fall away
now and then : our ftrength, for ordinary, confifts
in young men ; for there are feveral, who, in old
age, through the decay of their faculties, begin to
incline a little to 'orthodoxy, and then, we term
them, not " old men," but " old wives." How-
ever, there are alfo fome, who not only do perfe-
vere, but glorioufly improve in moderation in old
age, and to their dying day : of which number was
the late Rev. Mr. J. R. in K. whofe name I have
thought proper to record in trns immortal work,
that it may be had in everlafting remembrance.
M A X I M X.
Whenever ive have got a fettlement decided over the
belly perhaps of the whole people in the pari/h9 by a
majority in the General AJfemblyy the victory Jlmili
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. I97
he improved^ by appointing feme of the orthodox op-
fofers of the fettlement to execute it, efpeciall) thofe of
them that pretend to have a. fcruple of ccnfctence at
having an active hand in any fuch fettlement.
THEY do not deferve a victory, who know not
how to pufh it, or to improve the advantage they
have gained. A fentence of the General AffemDly,
even as of any other court, fignifies nothing, if it be
not executed. To reft fatisfied with the victory we
have gained, by the bare decifion, would indeed
be yielding it back again, and lofmg in fact, what
we gained in appearance. This is felf-evident.
But the next point is, Who fhall be employed in
executing it \ thofe who appointed, or thofe who
pretend a fcruple of "onfeience at doing what ap-
pears to their difordered intellects to be what they
call finful ? — Now, as to this, allow me only to
aik a few plain queftions. Is not every fociety di-
vided into the governing, and the governed, the
mafters, and the fervants ? What is the fubject
of any debate in the AfTembly, that ends in a vote,
but to determine who is the one, and who is the
other ? when once a vote has made us mafters,
does not the fame vote make the minority fervants?
And do I need to afk further, if there is any piece
of drudgery to be performed, who it belongs to,
the mafters or the fervants ? Apply this then to the
-cafe in hand : Who would hazard his own life in
fording a river, if he had a fervant to try the depth
of it before him ? Who would chufe to go to 4
pulpit under a fhower of ftones from an enraged
populace, if he had others under his authority,
198 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTIC
whom he could fend upon the fame ungracious er-
rand ?
Now, the ufefulnefs of this conduct is very evi-
dent : for it is plain, they will either obey or dif-
obey. If the firft is the cafe, then we fliall have
honour of bringing them, and they themfelves
profit and advantage of being brought, into the
red and abhorrence of the common people : in
commendation of which ftate, enough has been I
already. If they difebey, they mull be depofed, and
caft out as incorrigible, to make way for thofe that arc
better than themfelves. This will be to the adv
tage of the church : for young men, ceteris pan.
are much better than old.
As this method of purging the church of cor-
rupt members is like to be a prevailing meafure in
our days, I fliall endeavour to fupport it by a few,
but thefe demonftrative arguments : in moft of
which, indeed, I {"hall have little more than the
honour of recording the fentiments and reafoning
of fome eminent men that were members of the
two laft General AfTemblies.
In xhejirjl place, it is certain, that the command
of a proper authority is fufficient to make any ac-
tion not only innocent and lawful, but perfectly
right and flri£tly obligatory : infomuch, that if an
executioner fhould be commanded to hang his fa-
ther or fon for praying to God, or reading his Bi-
ble ; nay, if one of Jefus Chrift's difciples had
happened to have been a Roman foldier, and fhould
have been commanded to crucify his matter, he
(hould have betrayed the moft egregious ignorance
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS, I99
of the Chriftian religion, had he made the leaft dif-
ficulty in executing fuch orders.
It is to no purpofe here to object, the immutabi
of moral laws, and the fupreme authority of God :
for if obedience to human authority be one of his
laws, as it plainly is, then all his other laws muft
be fubmitted to fuch alterations and fufpenfions as
our fuperiors think proper. The apoftles do in-
deed fometirnes fpeak of " obeying God rather than
man ;" but we explain this as eafiiy as we do ano-
ther text, in the third chapter of the Romans,
which feems to teach, that " we mould net do evil
that good may come :" for as in the one cafe, what-
ever promotes good cannot be evil; fo, in the other, if
human authority be once duly interpofed, it is obey-
ing God to comply with whatever is enjoined there-
by ; and therefore it is impoffible that ever there can
an interference happen. Befides, fome allowance
muft, no doubt, be made for the difference of times,
and difadvantages which all the ancient writers lay
under, the late fine improvements in the fcience of
morals not having then been excogitated. But I can
ire the reader, the principle which I have laid
down, is now the dodtrine of this church, wherein
both divines and lawyers who are members of our
emblies, are entirely agreed, and will not fufrir
any body to call it in queftion. And wl ob-
vious beauty has moral virtue gained from the
te and fkiiful hands that have lately been em-
ed in dreffing her ladyfliip ! She was once ftiiF
and rigid, like ice or cold iron ; now fhe is y:
ing as water, and, like hot iron from the furn.
to what fhape you
2C0 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
And here I mud fay, I think it fome pity, that fo
fine a genius as Grotius did not flourifh fomewhat
later, or that the moral fenfe was not ftarted a lit-
tle earlier, and fo that great man pieferved from
falling into fo great a blunder as the maintaining,
that " even military authority may be refilled ; and
that a cafe may be given, when a foldier ought to
difobey orders :" for now it is a fettled point, that
even ecclefiaflical authority (which, if there were
any difference, I allow ought rather to be the milder
of the two) is fufheient to bear down before it what
were once called the " eternal,' no lefs, and " im-
mutable laws of morality {• and, by divine autho-
rity, is " paramount to divine authority itfelf."
I ihall only obferve two very plain and clear ad-
vantages in this principle, whereby it will appear,
how happy it is that the church hath fallen fo en-
tirely in with it, and proceeds fo uniformly upon it.
The firjl is, that in cafe of neceflity, an aftion
which no body would chufe perhaps to take the
weight of upon them, may yet be done without the
lead hazard of any body's being called to account
for it in the other world. If the doer of an a&ion
were to be the judge of its lawfulnefs, he might be
damned perhaps for doing it, in cafe it were found
to be wrong *, but upon this principle of implicit
obedience to his fuperiors, there is no repelling his
defence : it was not his province to judge whether
it was lawful or unlawful; and the Aflemby or
Commimon who gave the order, being bodies poli-
tic, are, by that time, all diflblvcd, and appear only
in the capacity of individuals.
The other advantage is this, that if the fupreme
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 2C i
court of any kind, were allowed to be the only pro-
per judge of the lawfulnefs of its own appointments^
it would be impofiible, in the nature of things, that
ever there could be a reparation in the church, or a
rebellion in £fre ftate. The juftnefs of this confe-
quence is fo evident, that I fhall not fpend any time
in illuftrating it, but heartily wilh the principle
from whieh it flows, were univerfally embraced.
In the fecond place, the difobedient brethren have
but one pretence for their condu£t, which is ground-
less, viz. a " fcruple of confcience :" as to which,
hear Dr Goodman, a noble Englifh writer : " A
tender confcience is nothing elfe but an ignorant
and uninftructed mind ; or a fickly, melancholy,
and fuperftitious underftanding." I could eafily
{hew, that there is no fuch thing as a real fcruple
of confcience : the lawyers in the General Affembly,
who are men of as great penetration as any in the
land, have moil of them plainly declared, that they
do not conceive it poffible. A certain learned
gentleman of this court hath allured us, that taking
away ministers ftipends would enlighten their con-
fcience. The renowned author of Hudibras is known
to be of the fame opinion : from which two autho-
rities I will endeavour to amend Dr Goodman's de-
finition : for a " tender confcience is not an ignorant
mind," but a " full ftomach.,, This accounts for
appearances better, and particularly for the epithet
of tender, commonly given to it, as all phyficians
are agreed, that a wound upon a full ftomach is
very dangerous. Having thus rooted up the very
foundation of this pretence, it is needlefs to
through the feveral particulars infilled upon bv
Vol. VI. S
202 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
bedient as ilraitening to them : and therefore I
mail but in a word mention one of them. They
pretend it is a profane farce to confer, in a folemn
manner, the care of the fouls of a certain people^
when nothing is really conferred but a legal title to
a benefice : as alio, that the candidate cannot con-
fcientiouily anfwer feveral of the queilions common-
ly put on thofe occafions. But is it not extremely
iirange, that any body can be fo dull as not to re-
gard chefe queltions in their only true and proper
light, as a ncceflaiy piece of formality, without
which, a charge of horning for the ftipends could
nor be railed? And as to the other part of the ob-
jection, whether it be not much more a mock cere-
mony, to ordain a man to a congregation, when a
title to the benefice cannot be conferred, I fhall
leave the reader to determine, as if the cafe were
his own.
The third principle upon which our conduft is
founded, is of fuch undoubted verity, that the bare
mentioning of it is fufficient to convince all the
world how little it (lands in need of any proof-, ac-
cordingly no moderate man views it in any other
light than as an axiom, or felf-evident truth; namely,
That if any excufe for difobedience were once ad-
mitted, or any indulgence granted to thefe tender*
confeienced inferiors, there would be an end of all
. nent in an inilant ; neither com nor
obedience could proceed one itep further, but every
individual inftruoient of power, in that fatal foe
^ftonifhed at the monftrous phenomenon, would
ftare at one another \ all the wheels of the political
machine would flop at once; nay, would fplit
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS; 20%
into ten thoufand pieces ; every relation and con-
nection of their parts would be inftantly diffolved,
and the beautiful whole would rufh into a wild
chaos of anarchy and confufion. The reader will
cafily believe, I am too wife to offer a proof of an
axiom or feif-evident truth*; however, I think ic
but fair to inform him, that fuch is the nature of
paper and ink, that they have not the power of do-
ing it all the juftice even in narration, of which it
is capable elie where. Whoever has heard the de-
monstrative tone, or beheld the infallible air, and
gellure of certainty, with which it has been afferted
by an Affembly-orator, would be afhamed that he
ever ftood in need to be put in mind of it : for my
own part, I am fo entirely influenced by it, that it
the moil faithful, diligent, and ufeful fervant, mould,
in the humbled manner reprefent to me, that he I .
a fcruple about executing any of my orders, and beg
to be excufed, fuppofe from (having. me on Sunday
morning, and I mould unfortunately be fo far off
my guard, as for once to indulge him, I would im-
mediately diffolve my whole family, and never more
think of lodging with a living foul under the fame
unhappy roof.
Againft this principle, however, fome have pre-
* I desire that tin's general assertion may not lx mis-
understood, as if I intended a reflection upon some Kate
discoveries in moral philosophy ; for though au i, or
self-evident truth, cannot be proved ; yet a great gen
who can do any thing, may take a view of tfej
axioms, dignify and adorn them, by writing a
round about each of them, and
be called Feelings. This is greatly to th<
commonwealth of learning, as wp< riej shew*
S2
tof HCCLESIAsTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
fumed to object particular inftances in Scripture-
hiftory, of fuch excufes being a&ually admitted*
without any apparent diflblution of the conftitution ;
fuch as Gideon's pafimg from his order to his fou
to kill the two princes of Midian, and flaying them
himfelf; and that of Saul, who when his guards
refufed to fall upon the priefts, committed that
ir to another, without any farther noife. Now,
siot to mention the difficulty of arguing from facts
of an ancient date, cited only by one author, and
ih it very curtly, I humbly conceive thefe inftances
produced, make directly againft the objection j for
it appears to me very evident, that the kingdom was
taken from Saul and given to David, for this very
reafon, he being unfit to, govern, by thus allowing
his authority to be trampled upon. Nor will it be
eafy to aftign any different reafon, why none of the
:erity of Gideon were ever permitted to rule
Ifrael. There are fome later inftances of that fort
nearer home, thrown up by (hallow politicians ; as
that of the hangman at Ayr, who refufed to execute
the Whigs in King Charles the II. 's time ; and
thr.t which happened a few years ago among our-
felveSj when the civil government overlooked the
difobedience of a fet of refractory clergymen, who
refufed to read the act of parliament againft the
murderers of Captain Portecus. In tbe firft of
thefe cafes, the judges acted in a laudable manner ;
for they deprived the man of his benefice : and for
crime of Ins difobedience, I am perfuaded he
died childlefs, for I have never heard of any of his
pofterity in that part of the country. In the other
cafe, I confefs the government was much to be
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 20J
blamed ; and have long been of opinion, that their
deteftable lenity, at that time, was the caufe of the
late rebellion, which followed fo foon after it. It
is to be hoped they will take warning for the time
to come; for- 1 am perfuaded, one other iiiftance of
the fame kind would effectually fet the Pretender
upon the throne of Britain.
The laft principle which I {hall mention, and
which, with the reft, I am fure is abundantly fuffi-
cient to fupport the maxim laid down for our con-
duct, is, That the beft method of conviction, and
of all others the moft proper for a church-court, is
that of authority, fupported in its higheft rigour by
cenfures, which may be felt by men of the dulleft ca-
pacities, as depofition, and fufpenfion from benefice
as well as office. If the goodnefs of an argument, or
the excellency of a method, is to be meafured by the
frequency of recourfe that is had to it, I think, none
can difpute precedency with this. It muft be allow-
ed to be, of all others, the moft Chriftian method ;
it reigned over the whote church without a rival, for
many ages ; and though proteftants for a while pre*
tended to find fault with it in the hands of their ene-
mies , yet, which of them all, when they became
able to make ufe of it, have not tried it in their turn ?
And whether we confider the majority, by whofe
hands this weapon is to be wielded, or the minority
upon whom the weight of it muft fall, it will plain-
ly appear to be admirably fuited to the prefent times.
As to the beafts of burden, who fall to be driven by
this method, they are known to be fuch dull and
Kfelefs animals (as they are moft of them paft the
Rigour of vouth) that no other argument can make
s3
ECCLESIASTICAL CKAR ACTEIUSTICS*
any imprcflion upon them. However a horfe
might be managed, who is a generous creature,
no body could thin* of another method to make
an afs move, but conftahtly to belabour its fu
There cannot be a clearer evidence of the dulncU
and itupidity of thefe obftinate beings we have to da
with, than the expence of rhetoric that has been
thrown away upon them, to perfuade them of a
thing as clear as the fun, viz. that if they had any
conscience they would depofe themfelves, and yield
their place to more pliable fucceflbrs. They even
pretend confeience here again -y and tell us they are
placed in a ilation which they dare not defert, un-
lefs they be thruft out of it. Now, let the reader
judge rnw incapable of perfuafion one muft be, to
iind difficulty in (q plain a cafe*, and therefore how
neceiTary it is, that a more effectual method lhould
be tried.
On the other hand, the majority in AiTemblies.
and Co.nmiffions feems at prefent to be peculiarly
adapted to fuch a method of conviction as I have
mentioned. One part of our ftrength lies in the Jlaity
who attend our judicatures; thefe, as they poflefs
no benefice in the church, they are out of the reach
of this fort of Cenfure, and therefore are only capa-
ble of inflicting, but not of fuffering it ; and as
they are not much accuftomed to folving cafes of
confeience, what other method can occur to them,
when things of this nature are thrown in their way,
than the more gentleman -like method, for which
Alexander the Great is fo juftly celebrated, viz. cut-
ting the troublcfome knot, which they would find
tedious and difficult to untie ? The reft of our fid|
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERITSICS. 20"
confifts in clergy of the youngeft fort ; who as they
are imitators of the manners of gentlemen, may
be fuppofed to act with the fame fpirit in public
judgment. Though they can give flourifhes of rhe-
toric enough ; nay, though of one of them in parti-
cular, I may literally fay,
He cannot ope
His mouth, but out there flies a trope ;
yet as for logic, it is well known this part of educa-
tion is fallen into great contempt •, and it is not to be
expected, that fuch briflc and lively fpirits, who have
always hated every thing that looked fchclaiiic-like,
can bear to be tied down to the ftriti methods of ar-
gumentation. But though we were greater mafters
iti this method of conviction, yet our blocd may be
eafily fuppofed too warm for any thing that is fo
flow, and at bed fo uncertain in its fuccefs. . No \
we are own the majority, and our power, as a late
acquifition, is the more agreeable for being new ;
we muft tafte the fweets of authority, which can
only be by compelling our inferiors to obey us. If
our fentences are executed, it is the fame tiling to
the new incumbent, the fame thing to the church in
general, and the fame thing to us, whether the exe-
cutors are willing or unwilling ; for, as to that
whole matter of confcience, about which fo much
noife is made, I have already related our fentiments ;
from whence it is evident, that fuch nonfenfe, as
laying a violent temptation in men's way to a£t
aguinit the light of their own mind, is nothing but
words without a meaning. And as to the cxpreC-
fion of the apoftlc Paul, about church-power, w!
2oS ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTIC*.
he iifes over and over again, that it is " for edifica-
tion, and not for deftru&ion," it is no fecrct, that
there is a various reading ; and if once we had, " for
deftruftion, and not for edification/' eftablifhed as
the true reading, which, if we were dealers in cri-
ticifm, might perhaps be eafily done, we fhould not
only get rid of this troublefome text, but make an
acquifition of it on our fide of the queftion, to the
confufion of our greateft enemies.
MAXIM XL
The characler which moderate men give their adver-
farieSy of the orthodox party , mujl always be that of
"knaves" or "fools " and, as occafion ferves, t he-
fame perfon (if it will pafs J may be reprefented as
a " knave11 at one time, and as a M fooVy at another.
1 HE juftnefs of this proceeding may be eafily
made appear. The principles of moderation being
fo very evident to reafon, it is a demonftration, that
none but unreafonable men can refift their influ-
ence : and therefore we cannot fuppofe, that fuch
as are againft us can be fo from confeience. Be-
fides, fetting afide the fuperior intrinfic excellence
of the one fet of principles above the other, there
are much ftronger carnal motives, to fpeak in their
own ftyle, to acT; in their way, than in ours *, and
therefore there is great ground to conclude, that
they aft from hypocrify, but not fo of us. They
pleafe the people •, we pleafe, at lead endeavour to
pleafe, thofe of high rank. Now there are many
remarkable advantages they gain by pleafing the
people \ whereas it is evident, ex poflfitloy that we
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 209
gain nothing by pleafmg the gentry ; for they never
trampled upon us fo much as c>f late •, and have en-
tirely defeated our application to parliament for
augmentation of itipend. So" far are we from be-
ing in any refpect the better of the gentry, that we
have really great reafon to complain of them •, for
when we have endeavoured to ingratiate ourfelves
with them, by foftnefs and complaifance, and by
going confiderable lengths with them in their free-
dom, they oftentimes moil ungeneroufly defpife us
but the more ; nay, many of them have firft taught
us to live at a high rate, and then refufe to
give us any thing to keep it up. Now, as we,
men of reafon, could not but forefee this, it is
plain, nothing but the moft difinterefted virtue could
lead us to a£): as we have done. Whereis, on the
other hand, the orthodox have gained, and do pof-
fefs the efteem of the common people \ and fo it is
plain they could have no other view in their conduct
but to attain it. However, to fhew our charity, we
allow there are fome on their fide who are indiire-
rently honeil *, bur thefe are men of very weak in-
tellectuals, as is evident from their not thinking as
we do.
The other part of the maxim is abundantly rea-
sonable, but not fo eafily put in practice, viz. re-
preienting the fame individual perfon fometimes as
a knave, and fometimes as a fool. This affair is
fometimes unluckily managed, when it is incm-
tioufly attempted. In order to its being done fuc-
cefsfully, therefore, let the following rules be ob-
fcrved.
ift. Let a man be represented as a knave ..■• r
210 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
hypocrite to one fort of people in the world \ and
him be reprefented as a fool, not to the fame,
but to another fort : let the firft be chiefly your bet-
ter fort of people, particularly thofe among them
that hate much profeifion of religion, and are apt to
call all ilriclnefs hypocrify: the other, it is plain,
muft be the fimple and credulous.
The fecond rule is, that, if pollible, there fhould
be different peribns employed in fpreading thefe dif-
ferent calumnies of the fame man. By this appa-
rent coniiitency to every one's opinion with itfelf,
they will be the more eafily maintained, arid be the
lefs liable to difcovery : and thus, as the feveral
wheels of a watch, by oppofite motions, promote
the fame end \ fo the feveral members of the mo-
derate body, by feemingly different and oppofite
means, confpire in promoting the good of the whole.
The principle upon which thefe two rules are found-
ed, is, That probability ought to be ftudied in every
falfehood we would have believed •, which principle
is laid down, and finely illuftrated, in the art of Po-
litical Lying, faid to be wrote by one Dr. Arbuth-
not.
It will not, I hope, be reckoned wandering from
my fubjecT:, when I obferve, that the very fame
principle of ftudying probability is to be applied to
the celebration of the characters of our friends, as
well as the defamation of our enemies. Thefe two
defigns indeed have a very ftrong connection, and do
mutually fupport and promote one another. Praif-
ing one character is, by necelTary and manifeft con-
fequence, a defamation of its oppofite ; and in
fotne cafes, which mnv eafily be conceived, it is the
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 21*
mod eligible, and the mofl effectual way of doing
it. I have been prefent at a converfation, where
the chief intention of one of the fpeakers, and what
he had molt at heart, was to ruin the chara&er and
reputation of a certain perfon who happened to be
mentioned, with his hearers ; but he could not well
know whether they were able to bear a large quan-
tity of unmixed reproach, he chofe the wifer and
fafer method, of celebrating another chara&er, and
drawing it with all his art, in fuch a manner, as
the ftrongeft oppofition pofhble might appear, in
fome of its circumftances, to that of the perfon in-
tended to be wounded by reflection.
But in this, as in the former cafe, great judg-
ment and prudence mud be ufed ; nothing mult be
faid, the contrary of which is, or may be eafily
known to be true ; and particularly all the anti-
quated orthodox phrafes, in giving a minifter's
character, are to be religioufly avoided. The ne-
cefiity of this direction will beft appear from an
example : Suppofe I fhould fay of Momus, he was
a youth of early, and continues to be a man of
eminent piety, walking writh God, and fpending
many hours every day in fecret devotion j has a
deep and ftrong fenfe upon his mind, of the worth
and value of time, and lays it out wholly in fitting
others and himfelf for eternity ; has fo facred a
regard for truth, that lie never tells a lie, even in
jell ; has a mod humble deportment, and is per-
fectly free from that prevailing fault of triumphing
over the weak, or (hame-faced by raillery or impu-
dence \ has been frequently heard to exprnfs his
<lifpleafure at all levity of carriage, and frothy un-
212 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTIC^.
profitable difccurfe, in perfons of the facred cha-
mbers : and as he was always himfelf remarkable
for a purity of converfation, fo he cannot allow the
moft diftant allufion to obfeenity to pafs without a
reproof; in fhort, his whole behaviour commands
both the reverence and love of all who have the
iiappinefs of his acquaintance. I fay, if I mould
tiraw the chara&er of Momus in this manner, as
fome authors do thofe of the Puritan clergy about a
hundred years ago, it is probable he would give me
no thanks : and indeed, he would owe me none :
for it would have much more the air of a fatire than
of a panegyric.
It is, however, poffible to draw the charader
of the fame perfon, which fhall have fome truth,
and much probability in it : and which as being the
character of a modern, fhall be much more in the
modern commendatory ftyle. He is a man of a
mod fprightly and lively fancy, of an inexhauftible
fund of wit and humour, where he pleafes to dis-
play it, though the iniquity of the times has, in
fome meafure, checked its indulgence. He is, not-
withstanding the grimnefs of his countenance, en-
tirely free from any fournefs or morofenefs of tem-
per, fo that in his converfation a man may enjoy
all manner of eafe and freedom. He is a moft
genteel ana elegant preacher and poet ; and, to
my knowledge a man of a warm and good heart *.
* This expression, " a man of a good heart," is much
in fashion among the moderate, and of great significancy
and beauty ; but it is only to be used in speaking to per-
sons of some degree of taste ; for I know a particular in-
stance m Which it disobliged the person it was intended to
gain.
ecclesiastical characteristics. 213
M A X I M XII.
As U the world in genera!, a moderate man is to be
great charity for Atheifls and Dei/is in principle ,
and for perfons that are loofe and virions in their
pratlice : but none at all for thofe that have a high
profeffion of religion, and a great pretence toflritlnefs
in their ivalk and converfation.
JL HIS maxim feems to be pretty ftrongly laid ; and
yet, upon a ftri£t enquiry, it will be found that we
follow it very exa&ly. That we have charity for
the firft-mentioned fort of perfons, is evident •, for
we endeavour to accommodate ourfelves to them,
and draw as near them as poflibly we can, infilling
upon nothing in our fermons but what may be faid
to be a part, or an improvement of the law of na-
ture. And as to our having no charity for the
other fort, it is as evident ; witnefs the odious idea
we have affixed to the name of a profelTor (unlefs
when it is meant of a profeffor in a college ;) a
witnefs our ironical way of fpeaking, when we fay
of a man, he has a " grave fancHfied air." Nay,
even holinefs and godlinefs arefcfeldom taken by us
in a very good fenfe •, when we fay, " One of the
holy brethren," or, " A good godly lady," they
would miftake us very much that would think we
had a high opinion of any of thefe perfons.
This our conduct a certain young man of the ortho-
dox-fide, reflected very feverely upon, as he thought,
in a fermon, which he afterwards printed, in \v
to this purpofe : ." They can indeed talk very flu-
iy of univerfal benevolence, and a charitable can-
Vol. VI. T
214 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
did difpofition — but their charity is confined to thofe
who favour their opinions, or perhaps are indifferent
about religion altogether; while the lead appear-
ance of ferious devotion, or fervent zeal for God, is
enough to forfeit it. Indeed this charity is as myf-
terious as the faith of the mod bigotted Catholic ;
it is equally full of contradictions ; and feems re-
folved to found itfelf, not upon evidence, but upon
the want of it. Where every thing has the word
appearance, there they will believe well -, but where
the outward condudt is blamelefs, they candidly fuf-
peft that nothing but hypocrify lies at the bottom."
But, with the leave of this fmart youth, what he
fays of us is very true, and we maintain it to be
right : for the very meaning of charity is to believe
without evidence ; it is no charity at all to believe
good of a man when we fee it, but when we do not
fee it. It is with charity in fentiment, as with cha-
rity in fupplying the wants of' the neceflitous ; we
do not give alms to the rich but to the poor. In
like manner, when there are all outward appearances
of goodnefs, it requires no charity to believe well
of the perfons : but when there are none at all, or
perhaps very many to the contrary, then I will main-
tain it is charity, and charity in its perfection, to be-
lieve well of them. Well, fince it is your will,
have charity for them ; but have charity alfo for
fuch as are apparently good. Oh ! the ftupid world !
and flow of heart to conceive ! is it not evident to
a demonftration, that if the appearance of wicked-
nefs be the foundation of charity, the appearance of
goodnefs, which is its oppofite, muft be the foun-
dation of a quite contrary judgment, viz. fufpecling,
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 21^
€>r rather believing ill of them ? If any ftill iiifift,
That if not charity, yet juftice fhould incline us to
believe well of them, as I have feemingly confefled ;
I anfwer, That we have no occafion for juftice, if
we have charity ; for charity is more than juftice,
even as the whole is more than a part : but though
I have fuppofed, argumentandi gratia, that juftice
requires this, yet it is not my fentiment ; for
the perfons meant being ufually great enemies to us,
are thereby cut off from any claim in juftice to our
good opinion ; and being alfo, as has been proved,
improper objecSts of charity, it remains that we
fhould hate them with perfect hatred, as in fact wa
do.
MAXIM XIII.
All moderate men are joined together in the Jiriclejl
bond of union , and do never fail to fupport and defend
cne another to the utmo/ly be the caufe they ar/ enga*
ged in ivhat it will.
1 HIS maxim I do not infert fo much for the in-
ftru&ion of the ignorant, as for the perfection of
my own plan, and the honour of the whole body ;
for I have hardly known it ever fail in any inftance
whatever. And as this character belongs, without
controverfy, to all the moderate, fo it belongs to them
by an exclufive privilege ; for they do molt loudly
complain of, and load with mod opprobrious epi-
thets, any of the orthodox, who attempt to imitate
them in it, as has been fometimes known. Nothing
indeed can be more juft and reafonable than thefc
complaints ; for fuch conduct in the orthodox i
T2
2l6 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
plain defertion of their own principles, a robbery
and invafion of the property of others. Confcience,
upon which they pretend to a£t, is, of all things,
the mod ftiff and inflexible : and cannot by any art,
be moulded into another fhape, than that which it
naturally bears ; whereas the whole principles of
moderation are moft gentle and ductile, and may be
applied to almoft all purpofes imaginable.
If any, through an envious infidelity, entertain a
doubt of the truth aflerted in the maxim, they are
referred, for fatisfaction, to the hiitory of the pro-
ceedings of this church for thefe twenty years part,
which I take to be the true reforming period ;
and are hereby defired to produce an inftance in
which any moderate man, wife or unwife, old or
young, grave or fprightly, failed to concur in fup-
porting one of his own fide, whatever was his c&ufe,
active or paflive, a project for advancement, or the
danger of a profecution. Let but one of us ftart a
fcheme, in which he may find his account, or be-
come candidate for an office, the whole, upon tho
t impulfe, as the concordant firings of a mufical
inftrument anfwer to the touch, return and reverbe-
rate the found. If Momus unwarily makes a fally
into the territories of " good-humoured vice," and
iiliappily betrayed by thofe who ought not to have
been trufted ; how powerfully is he upheld by the
gravel! of the party, and the uncharitable malevo-
lent enemy flung and deftroyed, like the bear in
the fable, for difturbing the hive of induftrious
bees ? Nay, as a yet ftronger inftance, (being more
againft nature) I could fhew, in the records of a
certaip prefbytery, declarations figned by the n
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 21 7
moderate hands, and yet containing as high and
ranting expreffions in favour of the rights of the
Chriftian people, as ever were ufed by the mod or-
thodox writer ; becaufe by a wonderful concurrence
of circumftances, they ferved, at that time, to pro-
mote the fettlement of a moderate man.
Every eye muft immediately perceive the beauty
and excellence of this part of our character. What
more amiable than union ? or what more necerTary
to the fupport of any fociety ? and what more hate-
ful and horrid than difcord and djvifioh ? Is it net
alfo, by this very means, that we have obtained
victory, and do ftill preferve our fuperiority over the
orthodox party ? They are wholly ignorant of the
laws of fociety, as they have been lately well explain-
ed by fome of our brethren in print ; and know not
that all who enter into it, give up their rights as in-
dividuals, and are bound " to follow what they dis-
approve ;" to fee with the eyes, and a£t for the in*
tereft of the whole body.
It muft be no fmall commendation of fuch con-
duct, that in fo doing we either follow, or are fol-
lowed, by the mod eminent and illuftrious charac-
ters in this nation. It is probable there may be lc-
veral controverted elections tried before the pai
ment in a fhort time; and I dare fay, any wife man
will fortel their ilTue in each cafe, much more i
tainly from the character of the perfon, than from
the merits of the caufe. And it is with fome j I
fure I obft-rve, that whoever began thk ; r dice
firft, we have carried it to the greatelt j ion :
for amongft us, the characters of men have I
nly pleaded in defence of their caufe; which, if I
i .
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
I not miiiaken, hath hardly ever been done in any
hril cou,
How admirably does this principle fall in witli
the fcheme of. philofophy upon which the preient
generation is formed ! It illuitrates the truth of Mr
H — n's dodtrine, That virtue is founded upon inftinct
and affection, and not upon reafon: that benevolence
is its fource, fupport and perfection : and that all
the particular rules of conduct are to be fufpen $
when they feem to interfere with the general good.
In flicrt, it mews that the moderate are a tranfeript
in miniature, and do mofh diftindtly exhibit the or-
der, proportion, and unity of defign in the univerfal
fvftcm.
Time would fail me, if I fhould go through all
the excellencies of this crowning maxim •, and
therefore I (hall only further obferve, that it excels
all the known principles of action for clearnefs and
perfpicuity. In order to determine which fide to
chufe in a difputed queftion, it requires no long
difcuffions of reafon, no critical inquiry into the
truth of controverted facts, but only fome know-
ledge of the characters of men ; a ftudy much
more agreeable, as well as more common, than that
of books. To fpeak more properly, it « no
ftudy at all of any kind ; for, as to the grofs, or
general tendency of a charadtcr, common fame
communicates the imprefiion, and feldom or never
3 us. This is probably the reafon that the
im, as has been obferve d at the beginning of
illuftration, is conftantly and unerringly fol-
td by thz moderate of every age and condition :
IY€ it as my opinion, that it
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 2I£
be added to th. ber of the feelings, which are
at prefent fo much upon the growing hand.
Thus I have laid down and illuftrated thefe ex-
cellent maxims, not without labour and expence of
thought •, and, I think, carried them fo far as to
make a complete fyflem for the education and ac-
complifhment of a moderate clergyman, for his
guidance in public judgment, and his oirection as
practice. And now, courteous reader,
i traveller, after having gone through the dif-
ferent parts of a country, afcends fome eminence to
hole, let us ftand ftill and rejoice over
kapp^LJfcate of pur mother-church of Scotland,
ion fo greatly prevails ; and let us
rejoice in hope of what improvements me may yet
:ve at, by adhering to thefe maxims, now digeited
into fuch admirable form and order. O what noble,
fublime, and impenetrable fermons {hall now be
preached ! "What victories and triumphs (hall be
obtained over the flupid populace, by forced fettle-
ments, which never have fuch a beautiful and or-
derly form, as when finifhed by foldiers, marching
in comely array, with Alining arms: a perfect image
of the church militant ! And what perfectly vir-
tuous and [hall be led by thofe clev
who with fteady eye, regard the good of th
whole, which never yet went wrong ! There is
thing indeed that any way tarnilhes the beauty of
this profpect, but th menta-
tion fcheme ; over which I could now lament in
•iac flrains, but that my hop t quite
l ; for who can tell whether
ation to perfection, when
\
220 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTIC*.
fhall have driven away the whole common people
to the Seceders, who alone are fit for them, and
captivated the hearts of the gentry to a love of our
folitary temples, they may not be pleafed to allow
us more ftipends, becaufe we (hall have nothing to
do but to fpend them ?
I would now propofe, that the next enfuing Ge-
neral Affembly would appoint (what indeed I might
not without fome reafon expect, whether they ap-
point it or not) that all the profeflbrs of divinity
in the nation fhall lecture one day every week upon
this fyftem of moderation, that our youth may be
trained up from their infancy in a taile for it.
This, I am fure, will be much more profitable than
any of the antiquated fyftems of divinity, as Pidet
or Turretine ; nay, I am perfuaded, it is more ex-
actly calculated for the prefent times, than even the
more modern authors, Epidetus and Marcus Anto-
ninus, which laft, in Mr Foulis's tranflation, hath,
by many young divines, in their firft year, been mis-
taken for Mdrkii Medulla Theologize.
If this my treatife fhall meet with the fuccefs and
acceptance that it juitly deferves, it is my intention
to offer to the public a ftill more minute and parti-
cular delineation of the moderate character, either
in another book of a different form from this, or
perhaps in a fecond edition of the fame ; which
fhall in that cafe, be the text, and to which I wiil
add large explanatory notes, containing much private
hiitory, and referring to many particular fads, in
order to render it the more grateful, as well as the
more inftruding to the reader. I have alfo by me
the Jiamina vita of many uieful and edifying trei>
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 221
tiles, which fhall be produced in due time, as the
mufes fhall give affiftance ; fuch as, The art of
making a flourifhed fermon with very little matter,
by a proper mixture of fimiles, and by repeating
every paragraph over again in the form of a foliloquy :
One refolution of all cafes of confcience, from the
good of the whole fcheme: A directory for prayer,
upon the fame fcheme: The horrid fin and danger
of minifters fpending too much time in catechifing
and vifiting in country-parifnes ; I do not mate any
mention of towns, to avoid giving offence •, as alfo,
left it fhould prove true what I have heard, that the
practice is fcarcely known in any of our great towns,
in which cafe, my reafonings would look like beat-
ing the air. Thefe, with many others, I am with
afiiduous care purchafing materials for completing,
by obfervation and converfation, that our church
may go on in a progreflive motion toward the zenith
of perfection and meridian of glory.
I fhall now fliut up this work, by acquainting the
reader with a fecret, which perhaps he would not
otherwife advert to, viz* that I enjoy thg pleafure
of having done a thing feemingly quite impracticable.
I have given the moderate, and thofe who defire to
be inftrudted in that fcience, a complete view of the
maxims and principles of moderation, without, at
the fame time proltituting or giving them up to the
pofTefTion of every common reader. Perhaps fome
will afk, how I imagine I have effected this ? I
anfwer, that I have fo framed the whole of my
book, that it is really intelligible only to perfons
duly qualified; and to every fuch perfon it is tran-
fparent as the fpring-watcr. I have given only mo-
222 ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
derate reafons for moderate principles, fo that how-
ever ftrongly they may convince fome, viz. thofe of
our kidney, others they will be fo far from convinc-
ing, that they will be thought to operate a quite
contrary way. I have managed this fo carefully,
that I could venture to lay a wager of all that I am
worth, that this treatife fhall be taken, by very
many, to be the work of an orthodox pen, and to
be intended as a banter upon moderate men and
their way. They will be tempted to laugh at us,
whom they will imagine to be expofed by this reve-
lation of our myfteries : but how ingenioufly are
they deceived ? For, by that very means, every pro-
perly prejudiced mind is furnifhed with a complete
fyftem, upon which to form his fentiments, and
regulate his conduct.
A SERIOUS
APOLOGY
FOR THE
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS,
By the real AUTHOR of that Performance.
TO THE
MOBILITY and GENTRY
OP
SCOTLAND;
PARTICULARLY,
SI CH C? THEM AS ARE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH, AND FRi-
C*UENTLY MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Right Honourable, and Right Worjhipfitl^
THERE was prefixed to the Ecclefiaftical Cha-
racieriftics a ludicrous dedication \ there feems
therefore fome propriety in prefixing a ferious de-
dication to this Apology. To whom it ought to be
addrefTed, could facrce admit of a moment's hefita-
tion. It profeffes to aim at promoting the intereft
of religion in the Church of Scotland ; and certainly
none have it fo much in their power to preferve or
improve the conftitution, both in church and ftate,
as your Lordfliips and Worfhips.
I am not to flatter you with an entire approbation
of your paft conduct as church-members. The de-
fign of this addrefs is rather to befeech yau, in the
mofl refpeclful manner, ferioufly to conlider, whe-
ther you ought any longer to give countenance to the
meafures which have for fome time generally pre-
vailed. I am encouraged to this, by reflecting,
that it is to you, indeed, we are obliged for tetl
fome bounds to the attempts of the high-flying cler-
Vol. VI. IT
226
gy. I could give feveral inftanccs of
ftiall only mention one, recent.
In the Aiiembly 1 762, it was c j to the
honourable members, that a fanclion \
to a refolution, of infixing cenfures upon minifters
merely for preaching to their own people at their
defire : a thing fo odious in its appearance, and fo
dangerous as an example, that no circumftanccs or
ends to be ferved by it, could poflibly juftify it.
I have already hinted, that you are mod " able*'
to promote falutary meafures in the church-coi
give me leaye to add, that I firmly believe you will
be firft u willing" to make any change for the bet-
ter. Individuals may, but, in the prefent (late
of human nature, it ought not to be c.v
tnat the majority of any body of men will
private benefit in wealth, power, or eafe, for pub-
good. Therefore, when once the clergy are
corrupted, their reformation can be looked for from
the laitv only, and not from themfclves. There is
j
an obfervatlon to this purpofe in the Rev.. Dr. Ro-
bertfon's hiitory, * wliich deferves to be written in
letters of gold : " They" (i. e. the Proteftants)
" applied to another aflembly, to a convocation of
the Popifh clergy; but with the fame ill fuccefs
'which hitti always attended every propofal for re-
formation addreiTed to that order of men to abandon
.irped power, to renounce lucrative error is a fa-
criiice, which the virtue of individuals has, on f
occafjons, offered to truth : but from any fociety
of men, no fufch effort can be expc&cd. The cor-
ruption* of a fociety, rec a.dcu by coir.:
* Vol. I. p. 113.
DEDICATION. 2 27
utility, and juftified by univerfal practice, arc
vfewed by its members without fhame or horror ;
and reformation! never proceeds from themfelves,
but is always forced upon them by fome ic-
reign hand." I am fo much of that eminent
writer's opinion, that I look upon every attempt
f for reviving the intereft of religion as quite hope-
lefs, u ou be pieafed to" fupport it : and at
the fame time, am not without the ftrongeft expec-
tation, that die period is faft approaching, when you
will fee it necefiary to interpofe.
Will you indulge me in adding a fanciful reafon
for my hope. Many of you have been bred to the
ftudy of the law ? Now I have obferved in readm g
the New Teftament, that it was a lawyer who took
care of the body of our Saviour, after it had been
crucified at the inftigation of the priefts. His name
was Jofeph of Arimathea, " an honourable man and
a councilor,'* and the faQ! is recorded by all the
N four evangelifls. Who knows therefore but the
gentlemen of the fame profeiTion among us may be
the inftruments of delivering the church, which
is Chrifl's myftical body, from the tyrannical im-
positions of churchmen in power ?
Look into the hiftory of this and every o
church, and you will fee that the laity never lent
their influence to promote the ambition and fecular
greatnefs of ecclefuftics, but they received their re-
ward in ingratitude and contempt. I have heard
many of you praifed as great friends to the church.
By this is meant, that you have a friendfhip for,
and are ready to increafe the revenues and worldly
convenience of thofe who bear the facrcd office, who
Ua
:z8
DEDICATION,
alfo Culled Clergy. I beg leave to obferve, that
the wifeft of mankind are ibmetimes deceived by
words, and patiently fubmit to gradual and infenfi-
ble ufurpations. Both the words C/crgy and Church
•ire an incroachment of the teachers upon you, and
all the other hearers of the gofpel. The firft of
Jhem comes from «*((*{, which fignifies inheritance,
and when appropriated to minilters, feems to inti-
mate, that they alone are God's inheritance, while
farely fome of the people are as much his inheri-
tance as they. The word Church is a Scripture
phrafe, and is ufed about one hundred times in the
New Teftament. But of all thefe in not above one
or two at mod can it be pretended to fignify the
rninifters, exclufive of the people. Therefore if
you be friends to the church, take the word in its
proper and genuine fenfe, and admit the people to
.1 due proportion of your favour.
Far be it from me to blame thofe who (hew a
friendihlp and attachment to minifters, and wifh to
fee them comfortably and decently provided for.
This is highly necofiary to free them from that
iety and folicitiule which is infeparable from a
poor and dependent (late. But why arc they to be
provided for at all ? or why is it an amiable charac-
ter to be a friend to the church? Surely that the
it ends of their facred function may be promot-
ed *, that, freed from the necefBty of attending to
fecular purfuits, tliey may have liberty to beftow
r time «.:.! pains for the ipiritual benefit of thofe
committed to their care.
For this reafon, I humbly intreat you, who, by
your exalted f.ation$j only can do \L with fuccef^
DEDICATION.- 229
r
to frown upon the luxurious and afpiring, to encou-
rage the humble and diligent plergyman. The inte-
reil of religion in this nation, is an obje£t of the high-
eft value in itfelf, and inleparable from our temporal
profperity. On both accounts I hope it will be the
object of your mod tender care; and in return*
may it pleafe God to make you know to your happy
experience, the truth of his own word, " Them that
honour me, I will honour ; but they that defpife me,
fhall be lightly efteemed."
I am, &c.
u3
A SERIOUS
APOLOGY
FOR THE
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS-
THE Ecclefiaftfcal Chara&eriftics is evidently a
fatire upon clergymen of a certain charac-
ter. It is a fatire too, which every body muft fee
was intended to carry in it no fmall meafure of keen-
nefs and feverity. This was to be expected from
the nature and defign of the performance. A fa-
tire that does not bite is good for nothing. Hence
it neceffarily follows, that it is eiTential to this man-
r of writing, to provoke and give offence. The
greateft fatirifts, in all ages, have made juft as many
enemies to themfelves, as they expofed obje&s of
icorn and derifion to the public *. It was certainly,
on this account, eafy to forefee, what would be the
erTe£t of the publication of fuch a piece, if it was
executed in a tolerable manner ; and therefore I
hope every impartial peribn will not only acquit me
* History informs us, that Horace for his admired sa-
tires, had many private enemies in Rome -, and it has been
?aid, that our countryman Mr Pope, durst hardly walk
the streets of London, some years before his death, through
f^ar of being attacked or pistoled, even when he met with
tfaf h:ghest encouragement f:om the public,
*
A SERICUS APOLOGY &C. 2Tf
of Mam?, 'out confefs I acted very prudently in not
fetting my name to the work.
The event juftified this precaution. The rage
and fury of many minifters in Scotland when this
pamphlet was firft published, is known almofl to all
its readers. The mod opprobrious names were be-
flowed upon the concealed author, and the mofl
dreadful threatenings uttered, in cafe they fhould be
fo fortunate as to difcover and convict him. One
gentleman in particular, who fell under the impu-
tation of being concerned in it, has ever fmce been
the object of their deteftation and relentment -, al-
though I think it remains yet very uncertain, what
hand he had, or whether he had any hand at all,
in its compofition ; a queftioii which I hope the pre-
fent production, by a comparifon with his other
works, will enable the fharp-fighted public to de-
termine.
But though I had by good management provided
myfelf a (helter from the ftorm, it is not to be fup-
pofed but I heard it well enough rattling over my
liead. The truth is, I have liftened with all poffi-
ble attention to the objections railed againft this
performance ; and found with much concern, that
the great endeavour of its enemies has been to re-
prefent the general defign of it as contrary to the
intereft of religion ; and the fpirit and manner of it,
as inconfiftent with the Chriftian temper. The com-
mon cry has been, " The author mud be a man of
a bad heart No good man could write fuch a
piece." This has given me an irrefiftible inclina-
tion, upon notice that a new edition of it is intend-
ed, to fend into the world, at the fame time, a feriotts
?3* A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
apology for it, not only for my own vindication, but
that if it hath any capacity of doing good, this happy
purpofe may not be defeated by the implicit credit
given to fo heavy an accufation.
In entering upon this tafk, I take the liberty to af-
firm, that what firft induced me to write, was a
deep concern for the declining intereft of religion hi
the Church of Scotland, mixed with fome indigna-
tion at what appeared to me a ftrange abufe of
church-authority in the years 175 1 and 1752 *•
The reafons of its particular ftrufture will be given
afterwards ; in the mean time, the reader may reft
allured, that this defence fhall be wholly ferious,
and fhall not contain a fingle propofition which, in
its plain and literal meaning, the author does not be-
lieve to be true. Not fo much as attempting to
borrow any affiftance from wit and ridicule, he fub-
mits his caufe to be tried by calm difpaflionate rea-
foning, and only begs the impartial attention of the
reader.
To free the queftion from ambiguity, it will J)e
necefiary to confider the performance diftin&ly, un-
der the three following heads. 1. The fubjett of
it in general ; which is confefled to be an attack
upon the principles, manners, and political condu<fl
of certain clergymen. 2. Why it is written in an af-
* This refers to the rebuking and deposing ministers
who did not think themselves at liberty to join in the ordi-
nation of a pastor without a people. The first was done
in the case of Mr Adam and the presbytery of Linlithgow,
who declined li ; \;sent at the settlement of Torphi-
chen ; the second, in the case of Mr Gillespie, in the settle-
ment of Invcrkeithing.
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 233
famed character and ironical ftyle. 3. Whatccca-
Con was given for it by thofe to whom it was evi-
dently applied, viz* the minifters of our own church.
1. Let us confider the fubject in general, viz, at-
tacking and expofmg the characters of clergymen.
While I am fpeaking upon this head, I mud take it
for granted, that the faults are real ; that the fatire
and reproofs are juft. An objection againft the per-
formance has been often made to this purpofe :
u Suppofing the things cenfured to be true, what
end does it ferve to publifh them ? — If tendernefs
for the reputation of the offenders could not prevent
fuch cruel treatment, ought not a regard for the
edification of others, and the fuccefs of the gofpel
in their hand, to have difpofed a good man to throw
a veil over their infirmities ? Is not religion wound-
ed through their fides, and occafion given to infidefc
to triumph ?"
In anfwer to this, I confefs myfelf to have very
different views of things from thofe who fpeak in
this maimer. Nay, I believe, that though there are
fome who fpeak as they think, yet it is much more
frequently the language of thofe who wifh nothing
fo much as the undiilurbed indulgence ef themfdves
in floth, luxury, or grofler crimes. I am altogether
at a lofs to know what is the argument in reafon, or
the precept in Scripture, which makes it criminal to
cenfure miniiters when they deferve it. That their
flation like that of all other perlbns of influence, or
in public employment, (houldmake men very tender
and cautious how they take up an evil report againit
them, and careful never to do it hut on good grow;
I readily allow; but where the qh Uy
234 A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
bad, I hold it as a firft principle, that ns it is in theni
doubly criminal and doubly pernicious, fo it ought
to be expofed with double feverity. This is fo far
from being contrary to the interefts of religion, even
when done by a clergyinan, that nothing can be
more honourable to it, than to fhew that there are
feme fo bold as to reprove, and fo faithful as to
withftand the corruptions of others. How far ft cret
wickednefs fhould be concealed, or fcenes of iniquity
not laid open, and fo fin turned into fcandal in mi-
niflexs, is a matter that would require a very careful
and accurate difquifition, and admits of many excep-
tions : but if, in any cafe, erroneous dcflrine, or
^eneracy of life, is plain and vifible, to render
them completely odious, muft certainly be a duty.
When it is not done, it provokes men to conclude
the clergy all combined together, like " Demet-
and the craftfmen," and more concerned for their
own power and credit, than for the interefh and
benefit of thofe committed to their charge.
That irreligion and infidelity has made a rapid pro-
grefs among us for fome time pad, is a certain, and a
melancholy truth. Well, perhaps I fhall be told,
That I have contributed to firengthen the caufe of in-
fidelity among the quality and gentry, by giving them
fuch a reprefentation of the clergy. I anfwer, That
gentlemen's forming a bad opinion of clergymen con-
tributes to promote infidelity, I will by no means
deny ; fo far from it, I affirm, that without this, all
other caufes put together, would not be able to
produce it in any great degree. The great, as well
as the vulgar, arc always more influenced in their
regard for, or contempt of religion by what they
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 2^S
fee in the characters and behaviour of men, than
by any fpeculative reafonings whatever. This is
what they themfelves make no fcruple, on many
occafions, to confefs. Bifhop Burnet, in his Dif-
courfe of the Paftoral Care, acquaints us, that, " hav-
ing had much free converfation with many that have
been fatally corrupted that way, they have very of-
ten owned, that nothing promoted this fo much ill
them as the bad opinion which they took up of
clergymen. They did not fee in them/' fays he,
" that ftriclnefs'of life, that contempt of the world,
that zeal, that meeknefs, humility and charity, that
diligence and earneftnefs, with relation to the great
truths of the Chriftian religion, which they reckoned
they would mofl certainly have, if they themfelves
firmly believed it ; therefore they concluded, that
"thofe whofe bufmefs it was more ftriclly to inquire
into the truth of their religion, knew that it \
not fo certain as they themfelves, for other ends
endeavoured to make the world believe it was."
But the great, or rather the only queftion yet re-
mains : Did the publication of the Characteriftics
give the firfl occafion to fuch reflections in Scot-
land ? Was the firft information gentlemen had of
the characters of the clergy drawn from that per-
formance ? This, which muft be the very founda-
tion of the objection we are corifiderihg, is not true:
and indeed it is not poflible, in the nature of tl
that it ihould be true. If there be any fuch thing
as corruption among the clergy, by neglect of dutv,
luxury in drefs or table, laxr.efs in principle, or
lefs of practice, it can be no fecret to
pie of figure and fafhion. It is commonly in
A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
their fociety that the mod free converfation and
Unclerical carriage is found among gentlemen of
facred order. And though fome of the laity
who regret fuch indecencies, may have fo much
good manners as to forbear upbraiding them openly,
and others may perhaps not be difpleafed at the re-
moval of all reftraints, either from the difcipline or
example of minifters, yet it is well known how little
ta their advantage perfons of both forts have talked,
long before the Chararteriftics had a being. So
that, inftead of any public rebuke being the occa-
fion of gentlemen's forming a bad opinion of the
clergy, the laft, on the contrary, gave a manifeft
occafion for the firit, if it did not make fomething
of that kind indifpenfably necefiary.
Many wrong opinions arife from confounding
things that have fome relation to one another, but
are notwithstanding eflentially diftinft. Thus what
ought -really to be imputed to the crime, is fre-
quently imputed to the punifhment. Becaufe a
bad opinion of the clergy leads men to infidelity,
therefore, fay fome, cover their failings, and pal-
liate their crimes : to expofe them is doing hurt to
religion. On the contrary, I reckon it is far more
conclufive to fay, Becaufe the bad characters of the
clergy are extremely hurtful to religion, let them be
told, that the greateft ftri&nefs and purity of man-
ners is expected from them ; and if any will not
comply, let the guilty perfons be chaftiied, that the
honour of the order may be preferved. I was ne-
ver better pleafed with a ftory than one I have read
! of die late Duke of Orleans, regent of France. It
happened, that during his regency, one of the
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 237
French princes of the blood was convicted of com-
mitting robbery on the highway. Great intercef-
fion was made with the regent, to fave him from
the ignominy of a public execution, which, it *
alledged, would be an indelible flain upon the royal
blood. To this the Duke replied, The royal blood is
indeed deeply (tained, but it was itained by the com-
miflion of the crime ; the punifhment will only ferve
to wafh out the ftain as far as that is now poffible.
Chriftians may, if *hey pleafe, learn what ought
to be their own conduit, by obferving the contrary
conduct of infidels, who generally underftand what
is the real intereft of that unhappy caufe. It is of
no confequence to an infidel to make it appear that
there are fome minifters bad men. His great bull-
nefs is, to transfer the faults of particulars to the
whole order, and to infinuate, that u priefts of all
religions are the fame." This appears from the ge-
neral ftrain of their writings and converfation.
/.her is it uncommon to fee infidels, who on all
occa.Gons difcover the mod rancorous malice againft
minifters of the gofpel in general, maintain the
gre iteft intimacy with fome particulars of that de-
nomination. Whether their friendfhip is an ho-
nour or difgrace to the perfon fo diftinguifhcd, I
think is not difficult to determine. However, in
oppofition to this conduit, every real Chriftian,
while he maintains upon his mind the deepeft fenfe
of the importance and ufefulnefs of the facfed office,
fliould, at the fame time, hold in deteftation thofe
who, by an unworthy behaviour, expofe it to con-
tempt.
That I am not fingular in I
L. VI.
jS A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
from tlie liiftory of the Chriftian church in every
age. Were it not that it might be confidered as an
unneceflary oitentation of learning, I could eafily
fhew, from almofl every writer renowned for piety
and worth, with what boldnefs and fe verity they
treated the corrupt clergy of their own times. And
what is remarkable, though their characters have
now received a fanetion from their antiquity, and
indeed a luflre from this very zeal and fidelity -y yet
while they lived, thejr invectives were conftantly
complained of by the indolent or vicious of their
contemporaries, as injurious to the interefe of re-
ligion. That this was the cafe at the reformation,
may be eafily feen by any who will look but a lit-
tle into the writings of that age. In our neigh-
bour country, when Mr Richard Baxter wrote his
Gildas Salvianus, or, Reformed Paftor, which con-
tained a very plain and very fevere reprehenfion of his
brethren the clergy, the fame objection was made
ngainft the publication of it, at lead in the Englifli
language, by fome prudent fofteners. To this he
;infwers, among other things, as follows : " When
the fm is open in the fight of the world, it is in
vain to attempt to hide it; and fuch attempts will
but aggravate it, and increafe our fliamc. If the
miniders of England had finned only in Latin, I
would have made fhift to have admonifhed them
in Latin ; but if they will fin in Englifh, they mud
hear it in Engliih. Unpardoned fin will never let
us reft, though we be at ever fo much care and
cod to cover it. Our fin will furely find us out,
though we find not it. And if he that confefleth
and forfaketh be- the man that (hall have mercy,
:ider then if he that covereth it profper net.
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 239
If we be fo tender of ourfelves, and loth to confefs,
God will be lefs tender of us, and indite our confcf-
fions for us. — Too many that have fet their hand to
this facred work, do fo obftinately proceed in felf-
feeking, negligence, and pride, &c. that it is become
our necefiary duty to admonifh them. If we could
fee that fuch would reform without reproof, we
could gladly forbear the publifhing of their faults :
but when reproofs the'mfelves do prove fo ineffec-
tual, that they are more offended at the reproof,
than at the fin, and had rather that we fhould
ceafe reproving, than themfelves fhould ceafe fin-
ning, I think it is time to {harp?n the remedy."
I fhall produce but one example more, to which
I beg the attention of thofe who have been inadver-
tently taught to think that one who endeavours to
expofe the characters of the clergy cannot be a good
man. Does not all hiftory bear teftimony to the
learning, piety, and worth of the gentlemen of the
Port-royal, a fociety of Janfenifts, who, a little
more than a hundred years ago, made a mod vio-
lent attack upon the Jefuits in France; particularly
M. Pafcal, in his Provincial Letters, which are
written almoft entirely in the way of wit and hu-
mour. Thefe pieces are {till univerfally admir
nor are they at this time counted any objection to
his character for piety and integrity. At the time
of publication, however, the very fame objections
which are now made to the Characterises, were
made to his writings *.
* This any man may see, who will look at ) nth
letter, and some of the subsequent ones, as well a?
notes ou them, which are generally ascribed to Mr Arnauld.
-4e A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
The reader may poflibly recollect, that I hinted
above, a fufpicion, that many are not finccrc in
offering this objection. One reafon for this fufpi-
cion I am almoft afhamed to mention, for the re-
proach which it brings, in my apprehcnfion, upon
many members of the church of Scotland; but as it
is well known, it is uuneceflary to conceal it, and
in my own defence I am entitled to repeat it. There
have been, within thefe few years, writings pub-
lifhed in Scotland directly levelled againft religion
itfelf, taking away the very foundations of mor?lity,
treating our Redeemer's name with contempt and
derifion, and bringing in doubt the very being of a
God.' Writings of this kind have been publicly
avowed, and the names of the authors prefixed.
Now, where has been the zeal of the enemies of the
Chara£teriftics againft fuch writings? Have they
moved for the exercife of difcipline againft the wri-
ters ? Have they fupported the motion when made
by others? Are not books in oppofition to the gof-
i and abufing all clergymen, as fuch, more con-
trary to the intereft of religion, than one which only
impeaches the fidelity of a part of that order, from
at ieaft a profeiTed concern for the honour of the
>ie ? Does not this tempt men to fay, as \
(aid an age ago by Moliere in France, or by fome
one there, on occaiion of a play of his called the Tar-
tuffe, That a man may write what he pleafeth
againft God Almightyri:i perfect fecurity; but if he
write againft the characters of the clergy in power,
s ruined for ever.
Another reafon why I fufpect the fincerity of the
enemies of the Characteriftics, when they pretend
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 24I
a regard for the intereft of religion as the ground of
their difpleafure, is, that it hath often happened,
that both fpeakers and writers have charged another
party of the minifters of the church of Scotland with
hypocrify and deceit, the moft villainous of all cha-
racters ; and yet it never occurred to thefe gentle-
men, that fuch a charge was hurtful to the intereft
of religion. I am now to let the reader into a fc<
What very much contributed, or rather indeed what
chiefly brought me to a resolution of publishing
Characteristics, was a pamphlet publifhed a few
months before it, called, A juft view of the coniti-
tution of the church of Scotland. This unive
uncontradicted fame attributed to the late Dr
H- n ; and the exprefs purpofe of it is, to repre~
lent a certain fet of minifters, as agitators of the
people, and in general, as not acting upon con-
fcience, even where they pretend it, but from a love-
of popularity. Befides this he tells a ftoiy, w!
he calls a " fcene of iniquity," with the initial
letters of the names of the perfons fuppofed u
guilty. Was ever this pamphlet charged bv
enemies as contrary to the intereft of religion? 1c
will not be pretended. Now, I fhould be glad to
know, what it is that makes the difcovery of a k
of iniquity, when committed by fome whom I mtift
not name, contrary to the intereft of religion, but
the difcovery of a fcene of iniquity committed by
certain others,- no way contrary to it at all? I am
not able to find any reafon for this difference
judgment but one, which is not very hon
them, viz. That perhaps fcenes of iuiqur
pofed to be committed by them, are mere pi
x3
A SEUI JLOGY I-OR THE
in thunfelves, and actually obtain more credit, than
:cy alicdge again ft others I do not
afiirm that this is the reafon : but I think, Gi
' had been the rh in cenfuring
liters for fcrupling obedience to their unconfti-
tutional decifions, and attacking their characters in
print ; if fome namelefs author thought fit to reta-
|ury in the laft kind, and did it with fo
great fuecefs, they ought to have lain as quiet under
it as poflible, both from equity and prudence •, from
equity, becaufe they had given the provocation; and
from prudence, becaufe in fact their conduct
lpted many to fay, the charge muft have b
juft, or it would have been treated with contempt ;
itroke muft have been well aimed, the wound
muft have been very deep, fince the fear continues
fo long* and is never like to be either forgotten or
forgiven.
This, however, is in itfelf but of fmall moment.
It would be of little confequence whether their con-
duct had been reafonable and confiftent or not, if
the objection itfelf were juft. But Ihope it appears
very clearly, from what I have offered above, that
fuppofing the conduct of the clergy to be unbecom-
their profeflion, a regard to religion not only-
permits, but loudly calls for a fevere rcprohenfion
of it. This is agreeable to the fentiments and
practice of the wifeft and bed men in every age.
There have been indeed a few exceptions: but the
lenity wrhich fome excellent perfons have fhewn to
vices of the clergy, has been generally reckoned
Mig their weakneffes and not their virtues. I
mention , left it fhould come into any perfon's
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 245
J, what is related of Conftantine the Grc;. .
That when he received a bundle of papers, which
was told contained accufations againft the vi-
cious part of the clergy, he publicly burnt th
after having taken an oath., that he did not know
what they contained : and added, that though he
fhould fee a biihop in the very a£t of a crime that
(hall be namelefs in Englifh *, he would cover him
h his purple. If the account be true, and this
be the char ich fome plead for with fo great
earneftnefs, one can hardly help crying out, O
peror, great was thy charity !
2. According to the diftnbution I made of my
fubject, the next point is, To account for the Cha-
racteriftics being written in an allumed character and
ironical ftyle. " If concern for the intereit of re-
ligion prompted you," fay fome, " to attack the
characters of the clergy, why was it not done in a
ferious wa aid it not have been better, grave-
ly to have convicted them of their fin,- and warned
them of their dan :an to let them
lous point of light, !iem to the. public
fcorn ?" This objection, I am fenfible, made an im-
prefhon on fome weli-m waning perfons ; and th-
fore it will be nee to confider it with care. A
very good nv: n he firft read the Character-
iftics, expreiTed bimfelf ..us : « Alas ! if there was
occafion given for it, d it not have been be
to have hid tecourfe to prayer than to fatirc r" In
general, I humbly appi , there is no oppofi-
tion between thefe two means : and therefore, in
many cafes, it is proper iploy both. Let me
244 A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
therefore intreat the attention of the reader, while
I briefly confider, fitjt, the lawfulnefs of employing
ridicule in fuch a caufe ; and fecorullyy what* par-
ticular circumftances concurred to render it the mod
proper method, if not in a manner neceflary, in the
inftance before us.
That it is a lawful thing to employ ridicule in
fuch a caufe, is evident from the. very higheft au-
thority. There are many inftances of irony in the
facred writings. In the third chapter of Genefis,
ver. 22. we have an expreflion ufed by God himfelf
which interpreters do generally fuppofe to be in
irony : and as it is of the molt fevere and penetrat-
ing kind, in a mod deplorable calamity, fo I cannot
well imagine what other rational meaning can be
put upon the words : " And the Lord God faid,
Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know
good and evil.,, It mud be remembered, that Adam
had broken his Maker's command,. from a foolifh ex-
pectation, upon the devil's promife, of becoming
like God. On this, an ancient interpreter lays,
" Adam deferved to be derided in this manner, and
he was made more deeply fenfible of Jus folly by this
ironical expreflion, than by any other that could
have been ufed." The conduct of Elijah, and his
treatment of the prophets of Baal, is another known
example of the fame kind. It is recorded, i Kings
xviii. 27. " And it came to pafs at noon, that Eli-
jah mocked them, and faid, Cry aloud : for he is a
god, either4 he is talking, or he is purfuing, or he
is on a journey, or peradventure he fleepeth and
mud be awaked."
There are fevcral inftances of the fame manner
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 2^5
of fpeaking in the prophetical books ; particularly,
the prophet Ifaiah, in an admirable manner, and at
great length, expofes the footifh folly of idolaters.
The puffages are well known *, as are alfo fome in
the apoftolic writings j and therefore I omit them
for the fake of brevity: and only mention anex-
prefhon of our Saviour himfelf, who, though a man
of forrows, and in a ftate of humiliation, yet in fome
places ufes a language plainly ironical ; as in John
x. 32. " Many good works have I fhewed you from
my Father; for which of thefe works do ye (tone m
It was certainly making them very ridiculous, to afk
them, for which of his good works they propofed to
ftone him, as well as it was the flrcngeft way of figni-
fjiag that he had never done any works among t:.
but fuch as were good.
After thefe examples, none will be furprifed when
I fay, that the mod grave and venerable of the fa-
thers have not only wrote in this manner themfelves,
but afferted its neceffity and ufe. To be convinced of
this/Let any man only read St. Jerome in his letters,
and his writings againfb Jovian and the Pelagians ;
Tertullian, in his apology againft the folly of idola-
ters ; Auguftine, Irenxu-}, and Bernard, and many
others of the moft approved characters. It is in-
J founded upon the piainefh reafon. — There it
commonly a pride and felf-fufTi' in men un<
the dominion of error, which : them deaf to
advice, and impregnable to grave and ferious rea-
foning : neither is there any j
pride is levelled a little by this difmayin
But left the reader fliould be lefs willing to yield to
2-4<5 A SERIOUS MYOLOGY FOR THE
my reafoning than that of greater men, I ftiall beg
leave to tranflate three paffages from three different
writers in diitant ages, which could not be more
applicable to the times in which they lived, than
they are to my prefent purpofe.
The firft is from Tertullian : « That which I
have done, is nothing elfe but a play before the
real combat. I have rather pointed out the wounds
which might be given you, than given them in effect.
If there are places which oblige people to laugh,
it is becaufe the fubje&s themfelves are ridiculous.
There are many things which ought to be treated with
contempt and mockery, through fear of giving them
weight, and making them important by ferioufly de-
bating them. Nothing is more juftly due to vanity
than derifion •, and it belongs to the truth to fmile,
becaufe it is chearful, and to defpife its enemies, be-
caufe it is afiured of victory. It is true, we ought
to be careful that the raillery be not low, and un-
worthy of the truth ; but if that be attended to, and
one can ufe it with addrefs and delicacy, it is a duty
to do fo."
The fecond paffage is from St. Auguftine, in the
following words : " Who will dare to fay, that the
truth ought to remain defencelefs againit the attacks
of falfehood ? That the enemies of religion (hall be
permitted to terrify the faithful with ftrong words,
and to entice or feduce them by agreeable turns of
wit j but that believers ought never to write but
with fuch a coldnefs of Ityle as to lull the reader
afleep ?"
The third paffage is from Pafcal, in the eleventh
of his Provincial Letters : " As the truths of the
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 2jJ7
gofpel are the proper objects both of love and refpect,
fo the errors which are oppofite to them are the ob-
jects both of hatred and contempt. There are two
diftinct qualities in the firft, a divine beauty which
renders them amiable, and a facred majefty which
renders them venerable ; there are alfo in the laft,
a guilt and impiety which renders them horrible,
and a delufion and folly which renders them filly
and contemptible. Wherefore, as the faints have
always, for truth, the united affections of love and
fear ; fo, for error, they have alfo the correfpondent
fentiments of hatred and contempt. Their zeal
ea^ally difpofes them to refift the malice of bad men
with boldnefs and courage, and to difcredit their
folly by derifion and fcorn."
That it is lawful in fome cafes to ufe ridicule, I
hope is now fufficiently proved. The truth is,
though it is common and natural for men to cry out,
That this is an unbecoming manner of handling the
fubje£t, when their own miftakes are expofed ; yet
I have met with very few controverfial writers, who
do not, in proportion to their {kill, endeavour to en-
lift ridicule in the fervice of reafon. It is often in-
deed a forry and motley mixture of grave and comic ;
but it fufficiently (hews the natural fenfe men have
of the propriety, not only of contradicting what is
falfe, but fmiling at what is abfu^J : I might there-
fore very juftly relt my defence here. It was, in the
firjl place, my bufinefs to judge, whether there was
fufiicient occafion given for fuch an attempt, as well
as, whether I was endowed with proper talents for
the execution. After this, it fell of courfe to the
24^ A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
readers to determine, how far I had judged right in
either, or both of thefe particulars.
But as, in fa&, it was not merely the lawfulnefs
of the thing in general, nor any confidence of my
own untried ability in that way of writing, that de-
termined me to make choice of it, but foine parti-
cular circumflances that fecmed to render itnecefia-
ry, I fhall now take the liberty of laying them before
the reader. The firft of them is the reigning tafte of
the age. Nothing is morv plain, than that a certain
levity of mind prevails at prcfent among all ranks ;
which makes it very hard to fix their attention
on any thing that is ferious. The vefy title of a
grave difcourfe is fuificient to difguft many, and to
prevent them from ever inquiring what it contains :
ib that though I refolve to adhere to my promife at
firft fetting out, I am this moment writing with but
little hope, that above one twentieth part of the read-
ers of my former treatife will vouchsafe it a perufal.
Nav, it is ten to one that many will deny this to be the
work of the former author ; and affirm, that it is
greatly inferior in point of ftyle ; that is to fay, no
ftyle appears to them juft or pure, but that which is
humorous and poignant.
Befrles levity, or an averfion to what is feriou-,
there is another chara&eriftic of the prefent age, •
which is perhaps the child of the former; I mean
floth, or an uriwillingnefs to beftow great or long
application of mind upon any fubje£r, be it what it
will. This difpofition has been wonderfully grati-
; and wonderfully increaied by the generality of
writers ; us for fome time paft. Th~ authors
of periodical publications, fuch as reviews, ma;
ECCLESIA9TICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Z^
zines, and even common newfpapers, for their own
intereft, have long vied with one another in the variety
and livelinefs of the pieces which make up their feve-
ral colleftions. From perufing thefe, it is fo eafy to
get a little fuperficial knowledge of every fubjeft,
that few look any further for the means of forming
their opinions in religion, government, or learning.
Another fpecies of compofition, proceeding upon the
fame principles, is novel-writing. What an inunda-
tion of thefe we have had thefe twenty years paft
in Great Britain, is fufficiently known. It would
even he an entertainment to enumerate them by their
titles, and fee what proportion they make of the
whole new books in any given period of time.
From thefe circumftances, it is eafy to fee what
an intending author muft have before his eyes.
Thofe who have long had their appetites quickened
by a variety of diihes, and the mod pleafing fauces,
are not able to relifh plainer, though, to thofe who
can ufe it, far better and more folid food. This
made it neceflary for me to fall upon a method of
compofition which might have fome chance to pro-
cure the attention of the public ; and I could think
of none more proper than irony ; which, when weir
executed, is almoft univerfally pleafing. Befides,
I muft acknowledge, that the conduct of the pre-
vailing party did often appear to me in a very ridi-
culous light j and never more fo, than when the
Chara&eriftics "were publiflied. Moderation had
been long a fafhionable or cant phrnfe among them-,
and yet they were running headlong into the mod
violent and tyrannical meafures. They made gi
pretences to charity, and a large manner of tliink-
Vol. VI. Y
2J0 A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
ing ; and as a teftimony of it, very modeftly fup~
pofed, that all who did not form the dime opinions
in religion and government with themfelves, were
weak filly fools, except two or three knaves who
had the direction of the reft. This, I do affirm,
was not barely hinted, but openly and confidently,
alTerted ; fo that I never kn^w greater bigots, in the
proper and genuine fenfe of that word. 4How far
my attempt would be fuccefsful, could .only be
guelied at #, but I imagine^, that if I could exhibit
them to the public in the fame light in which they
appeared to myfelf, they would make a pretty comi-
cal figure : and lb it happened in fact. My firlt in-
tention was only to have publifiied, in May 1 753>
a half fheet, containing the maxims themfelves,
under the title of, " A lift of felf-evident truths :"
but that having been neglected, upon the provoca-
tion hinted at above, the illuftrations were added,
and fent abroad a few months afterwards, in the
form they now bear.
Another circumftance which feemed to render
this way of writing neceflary, was the little regard
that had been paid to feveral well written treatifes of
a ferious kind. The perfons chiefly pointed at in the
Characleriftics had greatly relaxed difcipline in point
of morals \ had, by a courfe of decifions, planted
the country with ufelefs rninifters ; and though the
\ whole office of ordination proceeds upon the fup-
. pofition of a call from the people, gravely admitted
them without any call at all. This, when done as
a part of the public worfhip of God, as it always
is, mult be confidered by every impartial perfon,
not only as a piece of grofs abfurdity, and mocking of
the people, but a piece of fl igrant impiety, and mock-
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 25 I
ing of God. Confcientious minifters abfented them-
felves from thefe pretended ordinations; till atlaft it
came into the heads of th%ir enemies to force them to
be prefent under pain of the higheft cenfures of the
church. They had the hardinefs all the while to
affirm, that this was abfolutely neceffary to fupport
the conftitution : although every man muft agree,
that if any of our fathers, who lived about fifty
years ago, were to rife up out of his grave, he
would fav, it was the conftitution turned upfide
down. Many attempts had been made to reaibn
with them, and clear appeals to the hiftory and
ftanding acts of the church ; but all were trod,
under foot by the decifions of the annual aflemblies,
in their judicative capacity Nay, they at laft be-
came fo confident of their own power, and fo dear '
to all reafoning on the fubjeft, that they refufed
even to read what was written by thofe of different
fentiments, and when they did read it, difdain^d to
make any anfwer to it, or attempt to convince them
any other way, than by the unanfwerable argument
of depofition. This induced me to write in a man-
ner that has obliged them to hear whether they
will or not •, and though it has not been fo happy
as to bring them to conviction, I am fure it was no
more than well merited correction.
One other reafon I fhall mention for making
choice of this way of writing, was drawn from the
modern notions of philofophy, which had fo greatly
contributed to the corruption of the clergy. The
great patron and advocate for thefe was LordShaftef-
bury, one of whofe leading principles it is, that
* Ridicule is the teft of truth/' This principle of
Y 2
252 A triers APOLCGY FOR THE
his had been adopted by many of the clergy ; and
there is hardly any man converfant in the literary
world, who has not heard it a thoufand times de-
luded in converfation. I was therefore willing to
try how they themfelves could ftand the edge of
*his weapon \ hoping, that if it did not convince
them of the folly of the other parts of their conduct,
it might at lead put them out of conceit ^vith this
particular opinion. The laft of thefe I do really
think the publication of the Chara&eriftics has, in a
great meafure, effected ; at leaft within my narrow
Sphere of converfation. It is but feldom we now
hear it pretended, that ridicule is the teft of truth.
If they have not renounced this opinion, they at
leaft keep it more to themfelves, and are lefs info-
lent upon it in their treatment of others.
I hope the reader will not imagine, that, by
„ wrefting this principle out of the hands of my ad-
verfaries, I intend to adopt it myfelf. There may
be truth in it in an equivocal fenfe •, for to be fure
nothing that is true can be really ridiculous : but
there are few things more pernicious than this prin-
ciple, as it is commonly underftood and applied.
Jt is moft certain, that many things both true and
excellent may, by a perfon poflefled of the talent of
humour, be made apparently ridiculous •, and this
will have its full effect upon the bulk of mankind*
who are not able to difcover where the fallacy lie-.
Dr Brown, in his Efiays on the Characteriftics, fays
with great propriety, That ridicule is not fitted for
the difcovery of truth ; for, fo far as it i* diftin-
guiihed from reafoning, it " is only putting imagi-
nation in the place of reafon ," than which few
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTIC?. 253
things are more ready to lead us aftray. But he
allows, that it is very proper to <c difgrace known
falfehood \n and as the application of it to this pur-
pofe is warranted by the judgment and example of
the bed and wifeft men in all ages, there was nothing
to hinder me from making ufe of the fame privilege.
In the mean time, if there has been any chara£ter
of real worth, or any meafure truly commendable,
ridiculed in the treatife now under confideration, let
this be (hown by clear and plain deductions of rea-
fon, and I am ready to repent of it, and renounce
it.
3. This leads me to the third and laft part of
my defence, viz. To (how what occafion was given
for fuch a treatife among us. This I confefs to
be abfolutely neceffary, as it is plainly applied, in
the title-page, to the church of Scotland. It will be
in vain to have fhown, that there is nothing fmfui or
hurtful in attacking the characters of clergymen,,
where they a£l in a manner unworthy of their office,
or that this may lawfully be done even in the way of
lidicule. The queftion will {till be, Have the minis-
ters of the Church of Scotland really deferved it ?
Very great difficulties, however, prefent themfelvc;
in this branch of the fubjett. There are man/
things demonftrably true, which it is dangerous to
affirm, at leaft in fome places. Upon the fuppofi-
tion, that the prevailing party in this church is of
the fpirit ami difpofition painted in the Chara&erif-
tics, one would think, a man who fhould upbraid
them with their faults in a direct manner, would
be in a forry fituation if ever they fhould be M8
judges. The Veritas convitii would do him very lit-
?3
1
4 A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
tie fervice, or rather would only fer\fc to envenom
their refentment. Have they been already fo enrag-
ed againft me for a little pleafant raillery ? and am I fo
mad as to hope to defend myfelf, by bringing againft
the fame perfons a ferious and deliberate accufation?
However formidable this difficulty may appear, I
am not without hopes, that fuch of them as have any
meafureof impartiality and candour, after weighing
what is now to be offered, may be more inclined to
forgive the attack already made ; and, by breakirfg
their attachment to the moft corrupt members, re-
cover the merit and dignity of the general body.
With this view let me make a preliminary remark.
Many from the beginning either really did, or at
leaft affe&ed to fuppofe, that all who joined in the
rneafures carried on by the majority in our general
aiTemblies, were reprefented in the Charatleriftics,
as infected with every bad principle or practice fa-
tirized through the whole. Nothing was farther
from the writer's mind. An anfwer to that objec-
tion, fuch as the nature of the performance would
admit, was inferted in the preface to the fecond edi-
tion of the book itfeif 5 and I iliall now deliver my
judgment upon the point, without the leaft ambi-
guity. The political meafures which have been car-
Tying on for theie thirty years paft in the church
of Scotland, appear to me to be ruinous to the inte-
lvfts of religion. At the fame time, I am fenfible,
that there are many worthy and good men who join
in moft of thofe meafures ; and one great end of the
Chara&erilties was, to open the eyes of fuch per-
sons, both 01 their employment and company.
A train of circutnflances, not always in ou* own
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. )j j
-power, fometiraes leads good men themfelves to
fupport the moil corrupt part of a church in ti
public naeafures. The boundaries of ..prudence and
zeal are not eafily fixed. Union of opinion in po-
litics, often eftablifhcs a connection between men of
very oppofite principles in religion and morals : and
there are few greater inftances of the weaknefs of
human nature, than the readinefs of men to g
protection and countenance to thofe who are worfe
than themfelves, becaufe they are ftaunch friends to
their party views. Such complacency do fome take
;n this, as an exertion of Chriftian charity and ten-
dernefs, that it is wonderful to think what they will
do, and much more wonderful that they are not
aihamcd of it, but openly, and to all appearance
honeftly defend it.
Whatever unites them with one party, alienates
their affe&ion from, and interrupts their correfpon-
dence with the oppofite : hence extremes are pro-
duced en both hands. Perfons of fierce and vio-
lent tempers, in their zeal, throw out indifcrimi-
nate reflections ; and thofe engaged in another in-
tereft, turn a deaf ear to every accufation, as the
mere effect of party-malice and refentment. . i\
it has been obferved, that it is fomewhat na-
tural for clergymen, to be more ealily irritable at
fuch of their brethem as rife above them in ap-
parent concern for religion, and zeal for pro-
moting it, than at thofe who fall below them. The
firft are a reproach to their own conduct and cha-
racter, the other are a foil to it. So that every i
whoefpoufes any bold or vigorous meafure, may \m
Ju3 account with a fenfible coMiwfs, c .iicii
256 A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
of his brethren as are in the next immediate deg B
below him.
Another very confiderable difficulty lies in my
way. The more the complaint of degeneracy in
the church of Scotland is juft, the more difficult, in
one refpeft, ft will be to carry a conviction of it to
»the minds, either of thofe who are guilty of it, or
thofe who obferve it. The corruption of a church
always implies, a light fenfe of the evil of fin, and
therefore, however plainly I may make it appear,
that fuch and fuch fa£ls are done, it will be hard to
convince many that they are wrong, at leaft in any
great degree. Many a clergyman will not yield the
one half of thofe things to be fins that were admit-
ted to be fo a century ago ; nor do they fee the orre
half of the evil of fin, either in clergy or laity, that
was once taken for granted. Thofe who have not
the fame ideas of morality, can never be fuppofed to
have an equal impreffion of the infufficiency of the
fame degree of it. Thofe who look upon family-
worfhip, for inftance, as an unneceflary piece of de-
votion, will never be brought to imagine, that an
aflembly is one whit worfe for con fifting of fo many
members who habitually negleft that duty, if I may
be permitted to ufe fo old-fafhioned a phrafe. Oil
the other hand, though I fhould produce the names
and firnames of thofe clergy, who, mounted upon
their couriers at the public races, join the gentle-
men of the turf, and are well fkilled in all the terms
of that honourable art : though I fhould name thofe
who are to be found at routs and drums, and other
polite aflemblies of the fame nature, and can defcant
with greater clearnefs on the laws of the gaming^
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 257
table than the Bible, inftead of being commanded to
produce a proof of the fa els, I mould expect to find
many who denied the relevancy of the crimes.
For this reafon, before we go farther, perhaps it
wiH not be improper to introduce a general obferva-
tion. If we confider the circumliances of the church
of Scotland, we may, from a knowledge of human
nature, and the experience of pad ages, fafely af-
firm, (he is in a lax and degenerate ftate. If it were
not fo, it would be a miracle. Nay, I will venture to
go further, and to fay, it would be fueh a miracle as
never happened before. "We in this church have
enjoyed uninterrupted outward profperity for more
than feTenty years ; and during all that time, have
not only been free from perfecution, but have en-
joyed the favour and protection of the civil power.
If this long courfe of temporal profperity has had
.no effect in bringing on a depravation of our man-
ners, it muft needs be a miracle ; becaufe it is con-
trary to the natural courfe of things 5 and he that
will pretend to find a period, when any foch tiling
happened before, will, I am confident be imiuccciV
ful. The primitive church was never long without
perfecution during the three firft centuries ; yet they
had a trial how they could bear profperity, in the
interval between the ninth and tenth perfecution,
immediately before that dreadful one which they
fufiered under the Emperor Dioclefian. And hii-
tory informs us, that though they had not then any
civil eftablifhment, yet the eafe nnd profperity w!
they enjoyed had a molt fatal il)flueru;e upon their
manners.
!$p long as a minifter is only in the poll of great*
^58 A SERIOUS APOLOGY' FOR THE
eft danger, there will be lefs hazard of worldly men
endeavouring to pufh themfelves into that fituaticn :
but as foon as that office begins to be confidered as
a quiet and fafe fettlement for this life, how* can it
be but many, from no higher end than worldly in-
tereft, will get and keep pofleflion of it? Therefore,
though I were living in Japan, and knew nothing
elfe of the church of Scotland, but that (he had
enjoyed fuch a courfe of outward profperity, ]
would as certainly conclude, that a corruption ol
manners was affecting even the clergy, as I would
that iron which had been long out of the furnace,
and had not been rubbed or fcoured, would be
growing rufty.
After all, it is fomewhat ftrange, that this per-
formance fhould ftand in need of an apology, or thai
the accufation againft it fhould be fo often repeatedj
That the author muft be a bad man ; and that it is
hurtful to the intereft of religion. This is certainly
the clamour of the guilty, and not the judgment o
the candid. There is no fuch apprehenfion of the
thing being criminal among thofe who are the moft
unprejudiced and impartial judges; I mean the laity-
It is well known, with how much approbation il
was read by them, when firft publifhed ; and not-
withftanding the love of defamation, which is na-
tural to mankind, I am perfuaded its admirers would
have been of quite a different clafs than they gene-
rally were, if it had been apinft the intereft of reli-
gion ; and that it would have had no admirers at all]
if it had been a fatire without an obje£t.
Let us fuppofe any perfon had taken into his
head to write a fatire againft the minifters of the
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 2^
church of Scotland, and had thought proper to re-
prefcat them in an oppofite light ; fuppofe he had
reprefented them as having arrived to fuch a degree
of bigotry, as to believe, that no perfon could be
faved who had the leaft doubt of any thing con-
tained in the large fyftems of Pictet and Turretuie;
as fo fevere difciplinarians, that they were conti-
nually harrafling gentlemen and noblemen, and fum-
moning them before their feflions, for but walking
out in their gardens a little after fermon on the
Lord's day, or fitting half an hour too long at their
bottle after dinner on other days •, as fo rigid and
mortified in their own lives, that they were in dan-
ger of bringing back the monkim aufterity of the
church of Rome. Whether would the author of
fuch a pamphlet have been reckoned found in his
judgment ? Would any body have been fo idle as to
read it ? or, if they did, would they not have un-
derftood it backwards ? Whereas, in the prefent
cafe, there was a teftimony given to the truth and
juftice of the characters drawn, by the aflent and
approbation of almoft every reader.
The laity were not the only witneffes of its pro-
priety : many of the mod eminent and refpe£table
of the clergy of our neighbour-country, gave evi-
dence in favour of the Chara&eriftics. I have been
well informed, that the Bifhop of L n, in con,-
verfation with a nobleman of our own country, g
it a high commendation ; and added withal : " It
feems only directed againft a certain party of the
church of Scotland ; but we have many in England
to whom the characters are very applicable." It is
alfo faid by thofe who defenre credit, that the
260 A SERIOUS APOJ.OGY FOR THE
Bifliop of O d fpokc much in the fame way.
and faid, He wifhed their own clergy would read it
for their inftru&ion and correction. And fever.,
have feen a letter from the prefent Bifliop of G-
then Dr W n, one of the moft eminent authors
of this age, to a minifter in Scotland ; in which he
commends the performance, and particularly ufe*
■fe words : " A fine piece of raillery aguinft a
pv.rty to which we are no ftrangers here.1'
Is it to be fuppofed, that fuch perfonsj eminent
for worth and penetration, would have approved a
thing fo evidently criminal as fome are pleafed to
think this tracl ? Or are there indeed perfons of the
characters there represented in the church of Eng-
land, and none in the church of Scotland ? Shall
the perfons above-named openly affirm, there are
many fuch in England ; and muft the man be con-
demned, without hearing, and without mercy, who
is fufpected of hinting there arc fome fuch in her
fifter-church ? I have often indeed reflected, with
fome furprife, on the different fituation of affairs in
Scotland and in England. I have feen many books
printed in England, with the names of the authors,
which plainly and without ambiguity affirm, that
there are fome of the clergy proud, ambitious, time-
fervers, and tools of thofe in power ; fome of them
lazy and flothful, lovers of eafe and pleafure ; fome
of them fcandalous and diflolute in their manners ;
fome of them wholly ignorant and infufficient *, and
that all are tolerated by thofe who prefide. Thefe
things they affirm, without the leaft danger, or ap-
prehenfion of it. But were any man to publifh a
book that had the tenth part of fuch feverity in it,
fcCCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 26l
hi Scotland, he ought, at the fame time, to have a
(hip hired to fly to another country.
But the ftrongeft of all general proofs of the jus-
tice of the fatire in the Characteriftics, is the beha-
viour of thofe who are fuppofed to be aimed at.
Thd lamentable outcry they made af firft, the ma-
lice and refentment they have ever fmce difcovered
againft the author, prove to a demonstration, that
his reproofs are well founded. We (hall reduce
the argument to this fhort form : Either there was
ground for this fatire, or there was none. If there
was none, neither furely could there be for one half
of the complaints that have been made againft h> for
it would have been perfectly harmlefs. Many, even
of the prefent clergy of the church of Scotland, do
not find th*mfelves touched by it in -the leaft degree.
If the characters of the reft lay no more open to
the ftrokes of raillery, why fhould they have been
fo much difconcerted by it ? If they were not hit, it
is impoffible they could be hurt.
Thefe general arguments, of themfelves, might
fatisfy any impartial perfon •, but let us now go a
little further, and confider particularly the prefent
ftate of the church of Scotland, and how far it
might give occafion to the fatire. It would tie te-
dious to mention every fingle ftroke of raillery con-
tained in that performance : but fo far as it carries
a cenfure of principles or chara&ers generally pre-
vailing, they may be reduced to the three follow-
ing clafles, Do&rine, Difcipline, and Government.
We fliall examine each of thefe diftinctly and fepar-
atcly.
i. Let us confuler our prefent (tale in i
Vol. VL Z
A SERIOLS ArOLOGY FOR THE .
Doctrine. It is certainly hinted, that there are
many who have departed from the old pro
principles contained in our Confeflion of Faith and
Catechifms. And is it pofiible to deny this fact ?
Is it not the general complaint of the people through
the whole kingdom, that from many pulpits there
is little to be heard of the peculiar doctrines of the
gofpcl ? or, if they be mentioned at all, it is no more
than an aukward and cold compliment to fave ap-
pearances, while fomcthing very different is chiefly
infifted on. If I am not miftaken, the leading doc-
trines, both in the holy Scriptures, and in the con-
feflions of all the proteftant churches, are, " The
loft and fallen ft ate of man by nature; — The abso-
lute necefiity of falvation through Jefus Chrift ; —
The pardon of fin by the riches of divine grace,
through the imputed righteoufnefs of the Saviour ;
— S ion and comfort by the Holy Ghoft."
Thefe doctrines are of fo great moment, and have
fo extenfive an influence on the whole of practical
religion, that where they are firmly believed, they
will not only be often brought directly in view, but
the manner of fpeaking upon every other fubject
will be fuch, as to leave no jealoufy of an intended
omiffion •, yet certain it is, that many are the com-
plaints upon this fubject from every quarter ; and
therefore I am warranted to infer, either that the
doctrine is corrupted, and fomething elfe intention-
ally taught, or that the perfons complained of are
utterly incapable of exprefling themfclves in fuch a
manner as to be underftood.
I (hall now put the argument in another form.
There is unqueftionably a grcr.t difference in point
of do&rine between feme minifters and others. If
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. l(>l
s
the one fort therefore preach the do£trine contained
in the ConfeiTion of Faith, undoubtedly the others
either contradict or omit it. I am perfuaded there
are fome who would be afiiamed to have it thought
that they preached this db&rine •, and nothing is
more plain, than that thofe who are known to do
fo in the mod clear and explicit manner, are uiual-
ly the objects of their jealpufy or hatred. It is pro-
bable I (hall be told here, Why do you make thefe
general complaints ? name the particular perfons :
produce your evidence, and prove the charge : they
will in that cafe, be immediately laid afide. To
this I anfwer, that it is a very eafy thing for a man
to preach erroneous doctrine in fuch a manner, that
it fhall be impoffible to cotlVidt him by a legal pra-
fecution in a free country. Every day (hows, that
men may print fedition, treafon, and even blafphe-
my, in fuch a way, that no human law can take hold
of it. What then mould hinder men to preach he-
refy under the fame prudent difguifes? Befides, what
would a profecution fignify, if it muft come before
a court, of which, between clergy and laity, per-
haps a plurality of members diiFer little in opinion
from the pannel.*
My fubje£t does not oblige me to fay any thing
upon the excellence and importance of the neglect-
ed truths, yet I will take this opportunity of deliver-
ing my opinion in a few words. Thefe doctrines,
I am perfuaded, are not only true in themlel
but the great foundation of all practical religion.
Wherever they are maintained and inculcated, ill
nefs and purity of life and manners will be their
natural effect. On the contrarv, where thev are
Z 2
A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
liegleded, and a pretended theory of moral virtue
*ubftituted in their room, it will immediately and
certainly introduce a deluge of profanity and im-
morality in practice. Of this the prefent ftate of
OUT own church and nation, compared with that of
former periods, is a ftrong and melancholy proof.
But there is no occafion for entering further into
iJiis fubjefi:.; the ridicule in the Chara<£teriftics
turns not fo much on the truth or importance of
ihefe doclrines, as the grofs abfurdity of men's
lubfcribmg what they do not believe. However
firm a perfuafion I may have of any fyftem of opi-
nions, the right of private judgment and freedom of
inquiry, I would wifli to remain facred and invio-
Ubk» Thofe who ufe tins liberty, with courage,
and wi.th candour, ought to be held in the higheft
eflecm by every one who differs from them. But
for men, at their entrance on the facred office, fo-
leinnly to fubferibe to^ the truth of what all their
s after they endeavour to undermine and deftroy,
is at once fo criminal and fo abfurd, that no reproof
given to it can poilibly exceed in point of feverity.
1 take the liberty hereof tranferibing a paiTage from
a printed fermon, preached at the opening of a fy-
};od in Scotland : where, fpeaking of thefe fubferip-
tions, the author fays " This is fo direct a violation
of fincerity, that it is aftonifhing to think how men can
let their minds at eafe in the profpeft, or keep them
hi peace after the deliberate commifTvon of it. The
\ery excufes and evafions that are offered in defence
©f it, are a difgrace to reafon, as weli as a fcandal
to religion. AVhat fuccefs can be expected from
tfiat man's miniftry, who begins it witfc an act of fo
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 265
complicated guilt ? How can he take upon him to
reprove others for fin, or to train them up in vir-
tue and true goodnefs, while himfelf is chargeable
with' direct, premeditated, and perpetual perjury ?
I know nothing fo nearly refembling it, as thofe
cafes in trade, in which men make falfe entries, and
at once fcreen and aggravate their fraud, by fwear-
ing, or caufing others to fwear, contrary to truth.
This is juftly reputed fcandalous, even in the world ;
and yet I know no circumftance in which they dif-
fer, that does net tend to fliow it to be lefs criminal
than the other *."
There may be fome of the laity who have them-
felves an inward averfion to the fyftem of doftrine
contained in our Confeflion and Catechifms, and
who, for that reafon, are pleafed with fuch of the
clergy as preach in a different ft rain: but fure I am,
whoever will refleft upon the circumftance of their
having all fubferibed to it, can never have a high
opinion of their conduct upon the whole, but mufl
condemn the infincerity, let the propofitions fub-
feribed be in themfelves either true or falfe.
What is ;ibove, may fuffice as to do&rine in ge-
neral. The particular ftrictures in the Chara&erif-
tics againft a falfe tafte in com po fit ion, may well
enough anfwer for themfelves without any defence.
That there have been many inftances of ftrange in-
congruity in this particular, is beyond all queftion.
A cold, heartlefs, indifferent manner of fpeaking on
thofe fubje£ts, in which both fpeaker and hearer
have fo great, nay, no lefs than an infinite concern •,
an oftentatious fwell of words, or a pointed or.
' Mr WitherspoWs Synoi-^tenoiC
<
66
A SERIO'JS APOLOGY FOR TJf£
monted foppery of Ptyle, fo ill fuited to the gi\.
of the pulpit ; an abftra&ed, refined, or philofophi-
cal difquii'ition, which, if it has any meaning at all,
perhaps not three in the audience can poflibly un-
derhand > are thefe imaginary, or are they real cha-
racters ? If they are characters drawn from real life,
where is the fin or danger of expofing them ? For
my own part, I am grieved to fee fo little learning
among the generality of the minifters of this church,
which is probably owing to their poverty. But I
am in a good meafure comforted with this reflec-
tion, that the weakefl commonly do as much fervice
as the wifeit ^ becaufe though they were ever fo
willing, they are not able to fill the audience with
any admiration of themfelves, and therefore their
attention muft be fixed upon the truths delivered,
and not th? parts and manner of the fpeaker.
2. Let us coniider a little the flate of the chur
of Scotland with refpett to Difcipline ; that is to
lav, the infpeclion of the morals of minifters and
people. Upon the moft deliberate review, all I
can find intimated in the Charafteriftics upon this
fubje£t, is, that there is far lefs ftricinefs and ten-
dernefs of convcrfatron, lefs of the appearance of
piety and devotion, in perfons of the fpiritual func-
tion, than formerly ', and lefs feverity, in the exer-
cife of difcipline, upon tliofe wlio offend.
What ihall I fay in defence of this, but that the
thing appears to me to be manifeftiy true? There
are no particular crimes charged, but in general, le-
vity and worldly converfation, with a neglect of the
dutie6 of the facrcd office. And would to God there
were not the greatcft caufe of charging, not mere-
ly fome few diforderly perfons, not merely the
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 267
youngcft fort in general, but all without exception,
as in fome meafure guilty. If there is a remarkable
incrcafe of corruption among die worft, there will
alfo be a vifible declenfion in zeal and piety among
the beft. This is what the natural courfe of thing*
teaches us to expeft. It is alfo what our Saviour
himfelf hath forewarned us of •, « Becaufe iniquity
{hall abound, the love of many {hall wax cold,"
Matt. xxiv. 1 2. The prefent age is a moving exam-
ple of this, both with refpect to the clergy and laity.
As there is an alarming degree of infidelity and im-
piety among many of every rank, fo even thofe who
preferve fome regard for religion, fall very far fhort
of that eminent and exemplary piety which fome
alive have feen in Chriilians of the lail age, and of
which our fathers have told us.
I am very fenfible, that the degeneracy of their
own times has been the conftant and uniform com-
plaint of religious and moral writers in every age,
and that they may be liable to fome deception in
this particular : but at the lame time, the records
of hiltory put it beyond all queftion, that there
have been many inilances, among all nations, of
local and temporary reformation, of local and oc-
cafional depravation. Perhaps /'though I fee no rea-
fon for affirming it) the quantity of human virtue,
through the whole earth, may be nearly the lame
in every age; yet certainly it often change* its reli-
dence, and leaves one nation, to fettle in another.
Nay, it feems very reafonable to believe, that as
human things are never at a ftand, a church and
nation, in a quiet and peaceable Hate, is ulw
growing infenfibly worfe, till it be either fo eorrup:
Sas to deferve and procure exterminating judging
269 A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
or in the infinite mercy of God, by fome great
fhock or revolution, is brought back to fimplicity
and purity, and reduced, as it were, to its firft
principles.
They are much to be blamed therefore, who,
becaufe the complaints of fome moral writers are
exaggerated, and their comparifons not always well
founded, treat every thing of this nature as fooliih
and vifionary, refufing fo much as to examine
whether the charge brought againft themfelves is juft
or groundlefs. On the contrary, I cannot help being
of opinion, that it is every man's duty to do all in lib
power to retard theprogrefs of corruption, by ftricl-
nefs and tendernefs in his own perfonal walk, fidelity
and vigilance in the duties 'of a public ftation, and
a bold and open teftimony againft every thing con-
trary to the intereft of true and undefiled religion.
But becaufe we have now chiefly to do with the
clergy, let us return to them. If it were proper, I
could eafily produce examples of indecency and im-
piety in clergymen, fuflicient to fill every ferious
perfon with the deepeft concern ; and which tnfe
mod relaxed moralift would not be able to defend ;
but as I would fain believe, that tilings very grofs
are yet but feldom committed among us, and are
not commonly known, I (hall confine myfelf only to-
things more openly pradtifed by many, and too eafily
tolerated by all. This is the more proper, that the
book I am defending can fcarcely be charged with
difclofing hidden fcenes, but dwells on fuch devia-
tions from duty, as are epidemic and general, an3
rather fmiles at the ridiculous, than expofes the
guilty part of every character*
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTIRISTICS. l6g
There is one circumftance which I am afraid be-
trays many into a miftake. The world in general
expefts a great " comparative" fanctity in thofe who
bear the facred ofEce \ therefore, when ministers
take a little liberty, others think themfelves war-
ranted to take a great deal more. Thefe fentiments,
which are univerfal, contribute to keep the propor-
tion between the clergy and laity always nearly the
fame. When therefore clergymen fee the diftance
ftill remaining between them and others, they are
ready to forget how far they are both from the place
where they ought to have been.
Many things are faults in a minifter, which, if
not innocent, are certainly far lefs criminal in other
men. There is alfe a fpecies of faults which I ap-
prehend do render a minifter juftly contemptible,
upon which no law, either civil or ecclefiaftic, can
lay hold ; and which, for that reafcn, are the pro-
per objects both of i^rious and fatirical reproof. If
one fet apart to the fervice of Chrift in the gof
manifeftly (hows his duty to be a burden, and docs
no more work than is barely fufllcient to fcreen him
from cenfure ; if he reckons it a piece of improve-
ment, how feldom, or how fbort, he can preach ;
and make his boaft how many omiilions he ha*
brought a patient and an injured people to endure
without complaint ; while at the fame time, he can-
not fpeak with temper of thofe who are willing to
do more than himfelf \ however impoflible it may be
to ascertain his faults by a libel, he juflly merits th-
deteflation of every faithful miniller, and every real
Chriftian.
That fuch is the cafe wi;h not a few amorpfl
^7° A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
there is the greateft reafon to believe. The hca\y
and general complaints of the people from fome
quarters, and their grofs ignorance in others, prove
it beyond "contradidtion. Thofe whofe conduct is
not liable to this imputation, will not find, that
they have differed the fmalleft injury, in point of
character, by the publication of the Charafteri:.
excepting fuch as feel the wounds given to thciv
friends as fenfibly as thofe given to themfelves. In
this cafe, however, they have an eafy remedy :
Let them " have no fellovvihip with the unfruitful
works of darknefs, but rather reprove them."
I am unwilling to enter farther into the charac-
ters of minifters ; and therefore (hall only add, let
the impartial but confider what happened a few
years ago, and then fay, whether we are not greatly
relaxed in point of difcipline. Did not feveral mi-
nifters think themfelves at liberty to attend the
entertainments of the ftage ? I am fenfible, many
will immediately pafs fentence upon me as a perfon
of very nanrow principles, for introducing this as a
mark of our depravity. I mud, however, infill: upon
it, from the united teftimony of the bed and wifeft
of the Heathen writers, the uniform fentiments and
practice of the primitive church, and the pieces
written for the ftage in modern times, which any
man may perufe, that the performances of hired
players have never yet been conducted with fo much
decency as to deferve the countenance and prefence
of a minifter of Chrift. The General AfTembly did
indeed judicially difapprove of that liberty taken by
minifters ; but the cenfure inflicted on the offenders
h fo gentle, that it was then the opinion of manys
/
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 2)1
it would have a greater tendency to encourage, than
to preven: the repetition of the offence* It now ap-
pears they j ; right; for, if I am not greatly mif-
informed, the offence has been repeated fince that
time with abfclute impunity.
If the morals of the clergy themfelves are cor-
rupted, there is all the reafon in the world to expeft,
that the reins of difcipline will be flackened as to
the diforders of others. This, indeed, is fo noto-
rious, that it would be idle and unnecefiary to at-
tempt a proof of it -, and therefore I (hall only make
a reflection or two upon the reception given, not
long ago, to a propofal for cenfuring thofe writers
who had publifhed and avowed irreligious and im-
moral fentiments. It is well known what violent
oppofition this propofai met with ; nor will it foon
be forgot, what fort of reafoning was ufed againft
it j and nothing can fhow, in a clearer light, that
low and languid ftate to which our difcipline is
now reduced. It was generally repiefented a a
fpecies of perfecution, and as flowing from ..
cuting fpirit. Upon this I (hall lay before the
reader one or two very fliort reflexions.
i/?. What is ecclefiaftical cenfure? Is it any more
than a judicial declaration, that fuch and fuch tilings
are contrary to the fpirit of the gofpel, and incon-
fiftent witli the character of a Chi : No c
penalties follow upon it among us, and no civil
penalties ought to follow upon it in any nat;un. From
this it is very plain, that fuch cenfures, as they are
in their nature jufl and necellary, io they carry the
evidence of their juftice in themfelves. If in any
cafe they are mifapplied, and a perfon is condem-
ned for what is laudable, fuch condemnation can
A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE.
refle& no difhonour but upon thofe who pronounce
it.
idly. Whether fhould we be mod ready to be
provoked at the impudence of profefled unbelievers,
defiring to retain the name of Chriftians, or to fmile
at the abfurdity of calling it perfecution to deprive
them of it ? If infidelity were a principle, properly
fpeaking, or implied a fyftem of real and pofitivc
opinions, all of that perfuafion would reckon them-
felves bound as honeft men, to renounce their bap-
tifm, and every apparent relation to the deluded
believers. Inftead of defiring ad million to what
Chriftians call their privileges, they would confider
the impofition of fuch things as a great hardihip,
and beg that they might have nothing to do with
them; and in fuch a cafe certainly due regard would
be paid to their tender confeiences. As to the
charge of perfecution, it is the moft ridiculous ima-
ginable. They themfelves are the aggreflbrs ; and
though they are our open enemies, think proper to
be greatly offended, when we fay they are not our
friends.
2,dly. What can be the meaning of thofe profef-
fing Chriftians who defire to retain in their commu-
nion the enemies of the gofpel ? Can they, or will
they do us any fervice ? Is it poflible that they can
bring us any honour ? Can it be of any benefit to
themfelves ? None of all thefe. But it muft vifibly
leflen the fan£Hty of the Chriftian character in the
apprtiienfion of mankind in general, and give the
unhappy perfons themfelves more reafon than any
other circumftance whatever, to fay, the whole is
nothing at bottom but deceit and impofition.
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 27*
3. It now remains only to confider the prefent
Rate of the church of Scotland with refpeft to its
government. This, fo far as it is different from the
former, or at lead fo far as it is touched upon in the
Charatteriftics, relates chiefly to the admiflion of
miniflers, with a few hints upon the qualifications
and atteftations of elders who fit as members in the
fupreme court.
The admiflion of miniflers into vacant congrega-
tions is indeed a matter of the higheft moment, and
the oppofition of fentiments among us upon this
f abject, probably lies at the bottom of all our other
differences. I am alfo of opinion, that the continu-
ance of what have been commonly called " violent
fettlements," will have the mod certain and power-
ful influence in banifhing religion and decency, and
bringing us into a fituation of which I charitably
believe, many who profecute thefe meafures have not
the leaft fufpicion. Willingly therefore, were it in
my power, would I contribute to open the eyes of
fome of my brethren, on the pernicious confequences
of their own conduct. But I have the discourage-
ment to reflect, that the force of cuftom, and the
power of prejudice, will probably fhut their ears to
any thing I have to offer.
In order, if poffible, to procure fome attention,
let me entreat the reader not to imagine, that I have
embraced, or am about to plead in favour of fuch
ridiculous and abfurd notions, as through ignorance
or malice are commonly imputed to me and btl.
of the fame fentiments, fuch as, That every Chrif-
tian, as fuch, has a right to call a minifter upon an
iblifliment; and that Chrift hath purchafed tl
Vol. VI. A a
*74 A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
Sight for them by his death ; and therefore that they
ought to aflert this right, though in the mod fedi-
tious and diforderly manner. We know perfectly
well, that it is a qucftion, not of right but of fact,
Who has a title to call a minifter to enjoy the pu-
blic maintenance ? and that none have any title to
it at all, excepting thofe to whom the law gives it.
Neither would we contend, that every man ought to
have fuch a right, though we have it in our pow-
er to make new laws upon that fubject. Such a
feeming equality would be a real inequality. The
fum of my belief in this matter is contained in the
following propofitions. Every man hath a natural
right, well fecured to him in this happy ifland, to
judge for himfelf in every tiling that regards reli-
gion, and to adhere to any minifter he pleafcs on the
cftabliihmenr, or in oppofition to it. The legal fti-
pend, levied originally from the public, was certain-
ly intended to provide a fufficient and ufeful paftor
to the people within the bounds of a certain parifh.
He cannot be of much fervice to them, if they be
upon ill terms with him ; he can be of none at all,
if they will not hear him. No man ought to be
compelled, by ecclefiaftical or civil penalties, to fub-
mit in fuch a cafe •, and though he were, fuch forced
religion would be worfe than none. The only in-
ference I draw from thefe principles, is, that decen-
cy, and our indifpenfable duty as church-courts, re-
quires us to make no fuch fettlements, without the
deeped regret, and never without a real necefiity.
Perhaps I might go a little farther, and fay, that no-
thing can excufe us from making them at all, while
«ur office of ordination continues in its prefent form
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 27$
The queftion then refts precifely on this fingle
point : Does the law as it now (lands, compel us to
make all thefe fettlements without exception, and
without expoftuhtion ? If it does, what is the be-
nefit, and what is the meaning of the feparate in-
dependent jurifdi&ion of our courts, to which the
decifion of fuch caufes is committed by law, and fe-
cured by the treaty of union ? It is in vain to dil-
femble it, we have brought a great part of the hard-
ihips upon ourfelves ; and thofe who in their hearts
are averfe from parochial elections, only pretend the
law as a colour for their conduct. Were fettle-
ments refufed when highly inexpedient, and patrons
treated with decency, we fhould have little trouble
from them. At any rate, as the perfonsprefented,
whether probationers or minifters, are entirely in our
power, by authority exerted here, every remaining
difficulty would be removed.
I believe, this is the firft inftance that ever hap-
pened, of churchmen furrendering the power and
influence which the law gave them, into other hands,
without refiftance, and without complaint : nay,
many of them zealoufly contending for it, and cfta-
blifhing it by their own repeated decifions. It would
be no hard matter to point out the real caufe or
caufes of this conduct •, but at prefent I forbear, and
leave it to every man to afijgn them for himfc
only I cannot help lamenting, that our noble, vene-
rable, republican conltitution, fuems to be fo n
its period. "Whether it is likely to undergo any out-
ward change is of little moment : when the fpirit is
gone, the remaining name and f tttb
being contended for.
A a 2
276 A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
But that I may not wholly yield to defpondency,
fince an alteration of meafures is yet pofiible, I fliall
now lay before the reader a few of the certain con-
fequences of our continuing in the fame. When it
comes to be a fettled point, that a presentation,
done and unfupported, infallibly fecures a Settle-
ment, they will be openly and fcandaloufly bought
and fold. This is the cafe in England, notwith-
ftanding the ftrongeft laws againft fimony, and a
tremendous oath, which the incumbent himfelf
muft take before his induction. And it will al-
ways be the cafe in every country in the prefent
ftate of human nature. Our own experience
may teach us this. Within thefe few years, then*
have been feveral complaints of fimony in thU
church, and very great zeal has been fhown to
make laws for preventing it. That zeal is highly
commendable : but, alas ! it will be quite ineffec-
tual. To ftrengthen the power of prefentations,
and yet prevent fimony, is juft as hopeful an at-
tempt, as to open the windows, and keep out the
light. The art and invention of interefted perfons
to find a way of evading laws after they are made,
is always far fuperior to the forefight of the wifeft
men, in providing againft cafes which have not yet
happened.
There is one diftre fling circumftance in this prof-
peft, that fimoniacal pactions among us will be
hurtful and reproachful in an uncommon degree.
The fettlements in Scotland are generally fmall :
they will be every year of ftill lefs value by the im-
provements of the country, and increafing wealth
of other clafies of men. In what a beggarly condi-
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 1*n
tion then will thofe be who have been obliged to
pay dear for fo fcanty a provifion? Perhaps the rea-
der will fay, Happily, few of the purchafers have
any money to give. I believe fo ; but this will not
mend the matter: for the mod mean and fordid, per-
haps fcandalous, compliances mud come in the
place of money. " I am afhamed even to mention
fome of the ways by which it is undoubtedly cer-
tain prefentations will be, becaufe they have been,
procured. Can any minider think of this without
the deepeft concern ?
Such a minidry mud fall into the lowed and mod
contemptible date, through poverty and ignorance.
We differ much from the church of England. In
that church, though there are many of the inferior
clergy in the mod abject condition, there are alfo
many dignified perfons, as they are called, who en-
joy ample revenues, and great eafe. Thefe have no-
ble opportunities for dudy, and are enabled to dif-
Itinguifli themfelves by works of literature. By this
means the church of England derives a ludre from
the characters and writings of particular memb
which die does not deferve for the general frame of
her conditution. But what mud be the cafe in
Scotland ? Shall we venture to look a little further
into futurity ? Have our countrymen fo little fpirit
as to fubmit to fo much mifery and fcorn ? No ; it is
more than probable fome of them, at once dimulatcd
by ambition, and compelled by neceflity, will (
dually alter the conditution. They will introd
finecures and pluralities, that they themfelves may
live in fplendour and dignity, while the remaining
part (hall be thruit down to a date more defpica
A a j
*;S A SERIOUS ArOLOGY FOR THE
than ever. It is in vain to think, that die equality
of votes in a General Aflembly will hinder this : for
as power follows property, a very few perfons, en-
riched by additional falaries, with the faithful affift.
an^ce of thofe who arc dazzled with the fame expec-
tations, will eafily govern the reft. The truth is,
many of them defpairing of fuccefs, and ill able to
bear the expence of travelling, will ftay at home,
and let them do juft as they pleafe.
The above is no doubt a very melancholy prof-
pe£l, and will in time have a mod malignant influ-
ence upon the morals of the clergy. But the truth
is, the fettlement of parifhes by prcfentations, is
dire&ly and immediately hurtful to the characters
of thofe who are training up for the facred office.
When they know that their future fettlement does
not depend upon the apoftolic qualification, their
being " of good report," but upon intereft with the
great, it mult neceflarily introduce, in many cafes,
licentious and irregular practices, as well as habi-
tuate them to fawning and fervility. There is more
danger in this than many apprehend. On confut-
ing the hiftory of the church we (hall find few charac-
ters more odious in clergymen, than ambition, and
open felicitation of ecclefiaftical preferment. I am
forry that fo much way has been given to this al-
ready without having been obferved. Small changes
in forms and language, do often introduce great
changes in manners and characters. In ancient
times men could hardly be perfuaded to take on
them the weighty and important office of a bifliop.
In times notvery diltant in our own church, the mi-
nifter or probationer called, was never coniidered as
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 279
? party, but as the fubject concerning which the
procefs was carried on by the callers or refufers.
But they have been for fome time pad declared to
be parties : they begin to attend the caufe, to ap-
pear at the bar, to urge their claim, to confider the
people who .are to be under their charge as their ad-
verfaries, and too often to treat them with contempt
and difdain.
I know fome treat with great negleft the danger
of a lax and immoral miniftry, from the prefent me-
thod of fettling vacancies. So long as they are of
this mind, it is no wonder they continue in the
practice ; for it can be cf very little confequence
how men are chofen, if they are fit for the office.
They tell us, an edict is ferved before admiffion,
where every man has accefs to object againft the life
or doctrine of the prefentee. The eftedt of this will
be very fmalL Judicial procefles of that kind are
always expenfive and invidious, often difficult, and
fometimes dangerous. How few then will be fc
public fpirited as to undertake them ! The example
of England may fatisfy us of this. It is as competent
to profecute a man for error or immorality in Eng-
land as in Scotland : yet what perfon or pariih ever
thinks of making the experiment ?
Others tell us, " It is all in your own power :
why do you licenfe improper men ? it is impoffible
to prefent any man who has not a regular licenfe."
How furprifing is it, that perfons of ever fo little
reflection fhould make ufe of this argument ? It pro-
ceeds upon a fuppofition, which the lead knowledge
of human nature mult {how to be uim
That every preibytery, through the whole kingcu
will be unalterably faithful and vigilant* h
l8o A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
be but a corrupt or negligent majority in any one of
them, the licenfe will operate over all. Nay, let
them be fuppofed ever fo faithful, they may be de-
ceived by an hypocrite, or not able to find fuch
proofs of what they ftrongly fufpeft, as to found
and fupport a fentence of refufal. The more we
confider the matter in every poffible view, we fhall
hud, that a parochial ele£Hon of miniflers would be a
better fecurity for regularity and decency in the
clergy, than all the laws that ever were framed on
the fubje£t. Frequently men cannot, and fometimes
they will not, execute the laws •, but this rule
would operate uniformly and powerfully, and would
execute itfelf.
I add only one other unhappy confequence of
continuing the prefent method of fupplying vacan-
cies. If a prefentation muft fupercede all judgment
of the church-courts, as to the propriety of an ordi-
nation, and even the expediency of a tranflation, we
may expeft to fee fome of the weakeft, and moft
contemptible minifters, fettled in the moft confpi-
cuous and important charges* Perfons of this cha-
racter are not always free from vanity and ambition,
nor always deflitute of intereft by male or female
connections. We have had fome inftances of this
kind already ; but much greater and more fhameful
may be expe&ed, fo foon as presentations have ac-
quired an irrefiflible power. It will be faid, per-
haps, They have had all the force in law, for above
forty years, that is likely they ever will have. I
anfwer, that is very true •, but every one knows
their very different effe£l in practice at the begin-
ning and at the end of that period. Patrons conti-
nued long to pay a regard to the opinion of the
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 28 1
heritors, according to rank and character in the
congregation concerned. As they found their own
ftrength increafing, however, they paid gradually
lefs and lefs •, they now pay very little •, and the
time feems juft at hand, when they will pay none
at all.
This argument will, I hope, have the greater
weight, that I have known inftances of different
perfons, both among the clergy and the laity, who
had concurred in fupporting prefentations in other
cafes, but who were both alarmed and provoked
when they themfelves came to be treated in a tyran-
nical manner. The heritors in general, indeed, have
been long made iiiftrumental in bearing down the
common people ; and this being finifhed, they
themfelves, as is alrnoft conftantly the cafe in poli-
tical ftruggles, mufl feel the weight of that autho-
rity which they have eftablifhed. The evil hath
taken fo deep root, that it is fomewhat uncertain
whether a remedy be now poffible ; nay, it is ftill
more uncertain, whether any refiftance will be fe-
rioufly attempted. The confequences however are
like to be fo terrible, that they may well juft if y com-
plaint, and, in particular, be my excufe for endea-
vouring to expofe the conduct of thofe whom I
confidered as betraying the liberties of the publ:,
As to the cenfures inflicted on miniftcrs who re
fufed to be prefent at the ordination of minifters to
no body, I (hall fay but little, becaufe that feverity
feems to have ceafed. Several minifters have ab-
fented themfelves, in like cafes fmce the deposition
of Mr Gillefpie, and yet have efcaped with im~
:ty. The reafon probably thing ;
282 A SERIOUS APOLOGY FOR THE
fo common, that the odium attending it is become
inconfiderable, and not worth the pains of an en-
deavour to divide it. But as that mcafure was once
like to become univerfal, may I not obferve, that it
remains in the hiftory of our church an example of
what, alas ! appears but too plainly in the hiftory
of every church, That in proportion as authority is
relaxed in inforcing the laws of God, it is commonly
ftretched and carried to excefs in fupport of the un-
neceflary, doubtful, or pernicious commandments
of men ? Let any man produce a period in which
there was lefs rigour in punching minifters for ne-
glect of parochial duties, or irregularity in private
practice, than when they were threatened with de-
pofition if they refufed to join in thefe not very ho-
nourable fettlements. Nay, though we fhould look
upon the prefervation of church-authority as a mat-
ter of great moment, it was not obedience to the
ftanding laws, on which the welfare of the whole
depends, that was fo ttricUy required, but com-
pliance with, or approbation of the decifions of the
annual Aflemblies in their judicative capacity. It
hath often furprifed me to hear the plea of con-
fcience, in fuch cafes, treated as a mere pretence.
What fentiments mud thofe perfons have, who
look upon it as a thing incredible, that a man fhoulJ
fcruple being prefent at an ordination, where fome
of the anfwers to the queftions put to the candidate,
though joined In with a part of divine worfhip, are
either directly falfe, or wholly abfurd ?
This part of the Apology has been fo much
lengthened out, that I wholly omit the attefting
unqualified and admitting unattefted elders into the
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 2S3
church- courts. There is indeed fo manifeft a breach
of truth in the one cafe, and of law and order in the
other, that if men do not fee it themfelves, it muil be
owing to fuch invincible prejudice as it is in vain to
contend with.
Thus I have laid before the reader, in a ferious and
€andid manner, what I hope will appear a fufficient
apology for this offenfive performance. Nothing
could have induced me to the attempt, but the
unwearied endeavours of many to reprefent it as an
evidence of a bad temper and unchriitian difpofition,
which the particular ftructure of the book made fome
undifcerniug perfons rafhly afient to. I have not the
fmalleft reafon to repent of it on account of its na-
ture, its defign, or its effects upon the public.
If there was any miftake, it was in point of pru-
dence, which mould have directed me to avoid
bringing fuch a load of malice and refentment upon
myfelf. This has afforded me one obfervation not
very honourable to human nature, viz. That the
rage of enemies is always more active and more loft-
ing than the affection of friends. It often happens,
that fome who are very much pleafed to find one
ftand forth as a champion for their political opi-
nions, and ready to go, as it were, to the front of
the battle ; when their enemies, fmarting with die
wounds he has given them, traduce and vilify his
character, thefe efteemed friends often, in a great
meafure, give it .up, and difcover much fatisfadtion
with themfelves, that they had a£ted in a wifcr and
more cautious manner.
I conclude the whole, with befceching all who
arc convinced, that the prefent ftate of the chi.
284 A SERIOUS APOLOGY, &C.
of Scotland is fuch as I have reprefented, to exert
themfelves with zeal and aftivity for her preferva-
tipn and recovery. There is a wonderful, though
a natural union, among all worldly men againft the
fpirit and power of true religion, wherever it ap-
pears. I am forry to add, that this is one of the
inflances in which the children of this world are
wifer in their generation, than the children of light.
There are many whofe condu£l fhows them to be
actuated by an equal mixture of floth and defpair.
They are unwilling to aft with vigour, and defend
themfelves, by alledging, that nothing can be done
with fuccefs. How much better would the old
Roman maxim be, Nunquam defperandum efi de ;v-
publica ! and how much better reafon have we to
adopt it ! Nothing is impoflible to the power of
God. I add, that the moft remarkable times of the
revival of religion, in this part of the united king-
dom, immgdiately fucceeded times of the greatefl
apoftacy, when " truth" feemed to be u fallen in
the ftreet, and equity could not enter." This wis
the cafe 'immediately before the year 1638. Cor-
ruption in do&riiTe, loofenefs in practice, and flaviili
fubmiflion in politics, had overfpread the church of
Scotland : and yet, in a little time, fhe appeared in
greater purity and in greater dignity than ever (he
had done before, or perhaps than ever fhe had done
finco that period. Let no Chriftian, therefore, give
way to defponding thoughts. We plead the caufe
that (hall at laft prevail. Religion fhall rife from
its ruins ; and its opprefled flate at prcfent fhould
not only excite us to pray, but encourage us to
hope for its fpeedy revival.
THE
HIS TORY
OF A
CORPORATION
OF
SERVANTS.
DISCOVERED A FEW YEARS AGO IB THE INTERIOR PARTS Of
.SOUTH AMERICA.
^CONTAINING SOME VERY SURPRISING EVENTS
EXTRAORDINARY CHARACTERS.
Vol. VI. Blr
ADVERTISEMENT,
THE Reader will find himself obliged to the
Author of the following History, for' the pains
he hath taken to render it as entertaining and
sentimental as possible. With this view he
hath entirely a. . the use of foreign names,
often hard to pronounce, and when pronounced
wholly without meaning. Instead of this,
when he bad occasion to mention particular
ranks of men, offices^ or customs, he chose to
express them by what did most exactly corre-
spond with them in our own country. ' By /his
vie, he narrative, disencumbered of aeji-
or circumlocutions > is rendered quite
easy and intelligible.
/
THE
HISTORY
OF A
CORPORA TIG
OF
SERVANTS.
7 A* T R 0 D U C T I C
TKE (kill of an author, like that cf a merchant,
lies chiefly in judging with readinefs and cer-
tainty, what kind of commodities and in what
quantity, any particular age or price is able and
willing to receive. This I have, of late, made very
much my ftudy, with regard to our own age
country, and the refult of my inquiry is as folio
There are two forts of fubjetts for which there
general demand in Great Britain at this tin;
Biography, if any thing may be fo called that g
account of the lives of perfons that never exiftcd, but
in the imagination of the authors. This is irid<
a mofl fruitful fubje£t, and under rious titles
of Hiftories, L: ntures, IV
teaches people how to live after ,
(2.) The other is the formation of fcheixu
Bb 2
288
INTRODUCTION.
projects, to be carried on by fubfcription, for the
good of taankihd, which never were fo favourably
received as at prefent, the abortion or mifma~nage-
ment of nine in ten of them not having in the leait
abated the ardour of the public. If any be of opi-
nion, that new difcoveries in the fcience of morals,
ior the fupport of infidelity, are as favourably re-
ceived as any of thefe, fuch mud be told, that they
are but fuperficial obfervers, or under the prejudice
of religious enthufiafm. The difcoveries here point-
ed at, have been of late years fo various, fo contra-
dictory, and fo fhort-lived, that they really raife
very little curiofity. As an inftancc of this, the
reader is defired to recolle& if he <:an, the mod ex-
traordinary thing of the kind that ever wa3 attempt-
ed. A great living author, David Hume, Efq. not
long ago, made health, cleanlinefs, and broad (bould-
ers, capital virtues, and a running fore, an unpardon-
able crime ; yet was it but little taken notice of
wl.en fidl publifhed, and is now almoft whclly for-
'0 21.
Therefore, an author is undoubtedly happy who
hath hit upon, or happens to be furnifbed with a
jetc fuited to the tafte of the age. This I hum-
bly prefume to be my own cafe. I have had the
good fortune, lately to obtain a diftincT: informa:
I moil extraordinary hiftory, which alfo may per-
haps lay a foundation for fome new fcheme, or, at
lead, for mending and cobbling thole which arc
now cracked and old. The only misfortune that it
labours under is, that it is true; for I remember
the lofty and fonorous earl of Shaftefbury, whofe
memory I 'greatly revere, tells us there is much
INTRODUCTION. 289
more truth in fiction than in fact. The meaning of
this is, that authors of tafte and genius like himfelf,
employing their fancy in delineating feigned cha-
racters, give ordinarily a jufter view of nature than
tedious relaters of what really happened.
This lofs, however, I truft will be abundantly made
up by the extraordinary and wonderful nature of the
paiTages I am to relate, which it is to be hoped,
will have the effect of fiction in enlivening the ima-
gination of the writer, and, indeed, very poflibly,
may be miftaken for fiction by many readers. The
truth is, I hope there is a fingular felicity in my
fubjedt in every refpect. If the excellency of hifto*
ry, according to Lord Shaftefbury, lies in its being
like fiction, and the excellency of fiction in its be-
ing like to real fa£ts, according to all other men, the
fubjefl in hand mud needs excel, as it partakes of
both thefe characters. It will be like truth, becaufe
it is true \ and it will be like fiction, becaufe the
fame train of events, perhaps, never happened ir*
any other place or nation^
To introduce myfelf to my fubjecSt, and inform
the reader how I came by the knowledge of it, he
may be pleafed to recollect, That in the year 1741,
when Commodore (afterwards Lord) Anfon made a
voyage round the world, one of the (hips of his
tquadron, called the Wager, was caft away upon a
defert ifland in the South Seas. The greateit part
of the crew who were faved lengthened the long-
boat, and made a long and dangerous voyage through
the ftreights of Magellan, to Brazil. As the]
often obliged to fwim afiiore for provifioiu and
water,, it happened that, at one time, there v
Bb3
INTRODUCTION.
the number of fourteen of them aihorc upon a part
of the coatt very far fouth, neaT the mouth of
the ftreights. Having flayed all night, unfortu-.
nately next morning the wind blew fo hard in fhore
that only fix of the fourteen were able to get aboard
and the veiTel was obliged to go away and leave the
other eight.
It is(needlefs here to infift upon the various acci-
dents they met with in this perilous fituation. The
difficulty of obtaining food, without which they
mud very foon have died: the mean and fcant'y pro-
viGon with which nature will be fuftained, when
there is no more or better to be had : the inventive
1 acuity of man for fupplying his wants when redu-
ced to abfolute extremitv, and a hundred other
tilings which have been reprefented in all pofiible
lights by other writers of adventures. Let it fufTice,
therefore to fay, that in procefs of time, four of
them were killed by the inhabitants of the country,
and the remaining four taken prifoners. After
changing their mailers feveral times, they came at
hjl into the hands of one who carried them a great
way off to the capital of an empire, and the court
of a powerful prince. There they lived many years,
learned the language, and had occafion to fee thj
manners of the country. Two of them, at Lift,
acquired fuch a degree of favour, that, in com-
pliance with their earned requeft, they were fent
to the Portugueze fettlemcnts, and came from
thence to Great Britain.
One of thefe perfons, who was a man of toler-
able education, as well as good fenfe and compre-
henfion, coming to live in my neighbourhood, com-
INTRODUCTION. . 29*
municated to me what follows of this Iriftcry. Ii>
general he told me, the conduct and characters of
men, bating fome little differences of fafhion and
modes of addrefs, which are ever changing n
every country, were much like what they are among
ourfelves. Court favour was precarious and change-
'nble. Intereft ana ambition prevailed more in ob-
taining places of power and profit, than modeft md
peaceable merit. Cold and fober men gathered
wealth, and crept up, by flow but fur<* fteps, to
ftation and dignity ; while the lively fprightly fel-
lows threw away all that they had, and foon became
contemptible to others, and ufelefs to themfelves.
The knowledge of the world was of very little
benefit ; for though every clafs of men could clearly
difcern the errors that adhered to thofe of a different
jank, they could fcarcely obferve, and never would
imitate their commendable qualities. For example,
fays he, a profufe, difeafed, needy lord, would
fpeak with infinite contempt of the meannefs of
foul, and hardnefs of heart, frequently to be found
in traders and men of bufinefs, but never once
thought of following their example in fobriety, ap-
plication, and regularity in the distribution of their
time, to which they manifeftly owed all their fucc
So that upon the whole, he concluded that human
nature in all ages and in all places was the lame.
A fage remark, the reader will fay, but I can calaly
remember to have heard it before.
There, was however, one clafs of men in that na-
tion, whofe conftitution as a body, and many o#
whofe characters and practices were of the moil
traordinary kind, viz. the SERVANTS. Their l
$92 INTRODUCTION.
and conduct, at the time which fell under his own
obfenution, were fo lingular that they excited his
curioiity; and induced him to inquire with great
care into their condition, as for back as hiftory could
trace them. This is what I am now to communi-
cate to the public, being willing that my book
mould be buried in oblivion, or burned with dis-
grace, if a (lory can be produced equal, or even
fimilar to it, in any other age or country.
CHAR I
Of the Original State qj the Servants, and
their erection into a Corporation.
IN very early times, of which there are ftiil fome
accounts handed down by tradition, the feiv
vants were in a flate not much different from what
they are at prefent among us. It does not appear
that ever they were flaves, or were treated with ex-
ceffive rigour or fever ity. They were trained up
in fome acquaintance with,- and applied the
to fuch work as they feemed to be fitted for by the
turn of their minds, and the itrength or agility of
thrir bodies. They were chofen or hired by every
ily as they pleafed, made a voluntary agreement,
and were employed in doing what was neceiTary of
every kind. They were paid as they and the family
could ac^ree, eating of their own labours, and were
cherifhed and carefled in proportion as they dcferv-
ed it. In cafes of remarkable neglect, difobcdicnco,
or mifbehaviour, they were turned away. > in-
1, happened but feidom, for they were in general,
honeft, K>oer, and induitrious. They had the intfc-
relt of their rnafters at heart, nav, 1 ikable
were fome of the; for fui.
(it i- uttch or m
294 THE HISTORY OF A
pleafure in doing their work, as in receiving th
wages.
But it happened, fome ages ago, that one of their
princes was faved from a formidable conf]
againft his life' and crown, juft% upon the point of
execution, by the fidelity and courage of a fervant.
The prince was a man of a warm heart, and an un-
commonly generous difpofition. Not content with
bountifully rewarding his benefa&or by kindnefs to
himfelf and family, he conceived a defign of perpe-
tuating the memory of the fa&, and mowing his
gratitude by doing fomething in favour of the whob
order or body of men. For this purpofe, being
pofiefled of abfolute power, after confulting upon it
for fome time, he eftablifhed the following regula-
tions, not doubting that they would be highly be-
neficial to his fubjects in general, as well as the fer-
vants in particular.
i. It was ordered that the Wages of fervants
(hould be confiderably augmented, and fixed to a
certain rate in all the king's dominions. This was
evidently dictated by companion. He obferved
that it was very hard and unequal, that thole who
were conftantly employed in labour, who promoted
the interefl of their mafters fo much, fhould not-
withstanding live fo poorly ; that they fliould have
nothing but the coarfeft diet, and no more money
than was barely neceiTary to purchafe the meaneft
coathing. He ufed, when the matter was under de-
liberation, to reafon thus, " For my part, I think a
king ought to have the heart of a man; I confider
the fervants as my fellow creatures, and am defirous
that they (hould tafte fome of thofe pleafures and
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 295
delicacies of life, which they contribute fo largely
to procure for the accommodation of others."
He alfo obferved, that intereft, as well as com-
panion, dictated the fame thing •, that keeping them
poor would entirely difpirit them, and make them
do their duty in the mod carelefs and flothful man-
ner, by which their mafters mufl receive manifeft
prejudice. On the other hand, a good and fecure
provifion would give them great vigour and alacrity.
He ventured to foretel, that a third part iwcreafe of
their falary would increafe their work in a far great-
er proportion, fo that the public would be gainers
by this feeming burden. Befides, that fuch a fixed
provifion would free them from all temptation to pil-
fering and ftealing, and fo be an improvement upon
their honeity as well as activity.
Another advantage he propofed to reap by this
meafure, was increafing the number of Servants. It
was well enough remembered that, at no very diitant
period, the kingdom had fufFered not a little from
the fcarcity of fervants m, fo that the land lay uncul-
tivated, and many branches of bufinefs neglected.
Now it wasimpoflibleto avoid feeing that this meafure
muft increafe the number of fervants, by inducing
them to come into the kingdom from the moll dis-
tant places, as well as encouraging them to marry
and propagate, and blefs their country with a mul-
titude of ufeful hands.
Nay, he even called in the aid of luxurv to en-
force his argument, alledging, that kt his
fervants poor, mud make them fordid and natty, fo
that it would be odious to people of :ul ele-
gance to have them about their perfons, or even to
;& THE HI6TORY OF A
fee them in their houfes. But by carrying the pi\>-
pofed defign into execution, he laid, he hoped to
fee the fervants in general genteel, well-drcfled,
well-behaved, and converfable men. That this muft
be an advantage in particular to families in the coun-
try, who were confiderably diftant from one ano-
ther, and m certiin feafons of the year could have
very little intercourfe ; nay, even that in cities and
places of greater refort, it would be better, in many
refpects, to have opportunities of converfation within
doors, than to be always obliged to feek fociety
abroad.
In (hort, he fuppofed that the regulation now
eitablifhed would put an entire period to all
murmurings and complaints of fervants, and their
defires of fliifting from one family to another,
which was a fource of daily inconveniences.
They muft be touched, fays he, with a fenfe of
gratitude for fo unexpected and fo happy a change
in their fituation, and will therefore be thoroughly
content, and never ajk for more.
2. Having the public good all along at heart, as
much as the advantage of the fervants, he ordered
fchools and places of exercifes to be built, and mat-
ters appointed to train up fervants and fit them for
their feveral trufts — There were different tracts of
education chalked out for all different forts of employ-
ments. It was particularly expected of the direc-
tors of thefe academies, that they would fele£c the
fervants fit for every branch, and both educate and
difnofe of them according as their genius fhould in-
timate they were moft capable. As 01 example, for
cooks, waitings-men, and other domeiiic fervants, and
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 297
grooms, gardeners, and labouring men of all forts
without doors.
The advantage of this regulation, in both its
parts, feemed very evident. Education, it was faid,
is all in all. Education makes the man, and makes
the fervant. It will therefore prepare; them for
their work. They will enter upon it expert and
proven, very much to the public emolument; in-
ftead of being aukward and unhandy for fome time,
till experience has given them facility, or, perhaps*
retaining fome meafure of rufticity and inactivity
through their whole lives.
It feemed alfo a matter of great moment, that no
man fhould be fuffered to profefs what he could not
do, but that he fhould be confined to that only which
he could beft do. Neither was it proper that this
fhould be left to the caprice of families, or the an*,
bition and. prefumption of the fervants themfelves.
And it was never once imagined the mailers bf aca-
demies would be defective in judgment and impar-
tiality on their part.
3. The third and lad regulation he eftabliihcd,
^was ordering the fervants to be ere&ed by charter
into a large corporation, containing many fmaller
bodies and focieties within it. To this corporation
he gave authority over the feveral members of which
it was compofed, and eftablifhed a complete fubor-
dination. This was thought a piece of admirable
Avifdom and policy. They were to be flrictly
watchful over one another, and it was fuppofed
they would get all the advantage in this fhapc,
men united in fociety have over thofe in a ftr.te of
nature.— The feveral clafTes and divifions
Vol. VI. C c
/
298 THE HISTORY OF A
corporation were to try the fuliiciency of all fe
vants, before they were admitted, and had power
to turn them off when they mifbehaved or ncgle&ed
their work. That this might proceed with the
greater regularity, they were every one fecured by
law in their employments. They were not left in
a vague dependant Rate : a fervant once hired by
any family could not be turned away but by an or-
der of his fellow-iervants, to whom all complaints
of his conduct were to be made, and by whom they
were to be judged.
The whole was founded upon the moll excellent
reafons. Who fo proper to judge of the capacity
and diligence of fervants as thofe who are fervants
themfelves ? who can be fuppofed fo attentive to
their conducl, or fo jealous of their behaviour, fmce
the character of particulars muft evidently reflect
either difgrace or credit on the whole collective
\ body ?
CHAP. II.
Of the Effects produced by these Regulations. s
AT firft, and indeed for a confiderable time af-
ter thefe regulations were eftablifhed, experi-
ence feemed to confirm the wifdom as well as gene-
rofity of the prince, and to difcover their happy con-
fequences every day. Servants were trained up and
inftructed in every branch of bufinefs, and were
very expert in their work* They underftood the
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 2C}^
caufe, the reafon and the end of every thing, and could
talk upon it, in a mod intelligent and confident man-
ner. They did everything with much exactnels,
and had plainly a»far greater air of neatnefs and ele-
gance than formerly. The fields were drefled and
trimmed to great perfection : the uteniils of the
houfes were all brightened and put in order ; the
outfides of the houfes and avenues to them were all
adorned in a very pretty and fanciful manner.
They were not content with what was barely profi-
table to their mailers, but paid alio a due regard to
(how and appearance. Penons who travelled were
exceedingly delighted, and the proprietors were not
a little proud of the change : for every houfe was
like a little palace, and every country-feat like a
little paradife. Thus far the fervants feemed to be
much upon their honour, and, from a fenfe of gra-
titude to the emperor, endeavoured to behave them-
felves with great care and diligence; fo that every
body, as well as themfelves, fincerely rejoiced in the
change of their ftate.
But alas ! how fhort-fighted are human creatur.
this univerfal fatisfaction did not lait long. It v
quickly feen, notwithftanding fo good a beginning,
that the regulations laid down would but ill anl\ver
the end propcfed. The change to the worfe took
its rife from die enlargement of their wages, which
yet feemed, at firft, to be the chief and molt reafon-
able article of the regulations: for, af:er they 1
obtained good wag^s, and the belt of food, ..
commodation, fome of them began to grow f.it, and
confequentlv, lazy. When they were fuddeni
ed/fomctime* bv dozing and fleeping they did not
Cc 2
3«*> THE HISTORY OF A
hear at all j and when they did hear, were very flow
in their motions, and always ready furniihed with
an excufe for their neglect : or perhaps, raifed fome
very ftrong ohje&ions to what they were defired
to do. When they were fent off an errand, they
took a long time before they returned : and yet
wouUl pofitively iland to it, that it was impoffble
to return iboner. If this was not fatisfying, they
would, in a great rage, before they delivered their
lneffage, return and meafure the ground they had
travefed, in order to determine the difpute.
Having now more to eat and drink than formerly,
they behoved to take more time to it ; and fo the
hours of their work were very much diminished.
This feemed to them not only reafonable, but ne-
cellary •, and great difputes arofe upon it with the
families in which they fcrved. The families in ge-
neral, gave them to underftand, that they expected
greater diligence and a£tivity, as they were now bet-
ter paid than before, whereas the fervants counted
that highly ridiculous ; for with them it was a fixed
point, that the more liberally they were paid, they
ought to do the lefs"for it. It is needlefs to enlarge
upon this part of the fubjjvi ; let it fuffice to fay,
that, in general, having now got fo good proviiloa
made for them, they began not to ferve, but to live.
The delicacies of the world began to captivate their
hearts, and inftead of fatisfying themfelves with ne-
ceflaries, and being ufeful in their generation, they
bethought themfclves of enjoying what had thus fo
luckily fallen to their (hare.
Changes in all refpects came on infenGbly. It
•was before obferved, that one advantage propofed
CORPORATION OF,SERVANTS^ 3c I
by the regulations, was the increafe of the number
of fervants. This effecl indeed did follow with a
witriefs. Whereas before the country was not over-
flocked with fervants, and families were at great
pains in looking out for proper ones, now they in-
creafed almoft to an incredible number. Not only
was there a great confluence of ftrangers from dif-
tant places, but many of the inhabitants, not incon-
fiderable in point of ftation found it their intereft to
become fervants. Now you would every where fee
them going about and foliciting employment, and
very wonderful were the arts they fometimes ufed
%o obtain it. Of thefe I fhall fay nothing in this
preliminary part of the hiftory, becaufe I fhall pro-
bably have afterwards a better opportunity to intro-
duce them.
As the ftate of things and the way of thinking be-^
gan to alter, *the language and manner of fpeaking
altered alfo at the fame time. In former times they
ufed to fpeak of getting a mafter, or being hired, or
getting an employment ; now they fpake of getting
into bread, of getting a falary, a fettlement, or a
living. I know nothing that refembies this differ-
ence fo much, as the difference between our way
of fpeaking in Scotland, and what is- ufual iu
our neighbour country of England about fervants.
Here we fpeak of a fervant's getting into fervice,
in England they call it getting a place, and a foot-
man turned away, they term with the higheft pro-
priety, a footman out of place.
Things having once come into this fituation, it
happened with thefe fervants as it happens with all
men when once they begin to gratify their dcfiresJ
Cc3
30a run history of a
they become inordinate, excefTive, and infatiable.
Inilead of being content with what they had obtain-
ed, they began to fall upon all imaginable methods
of increafing their revenues. They contrived an in-
finite number of perquifites befides their ordinary
wages. When a family had of their own free mo-
tion beftowed any mark of favour upon a good Cer-
V^nty the thing was immediately fpread abroad, and
all other families were harrafled with complaints,
and teazed to death by their fervams till the fame
was beftowed upon them. They would often in a
clandefline manner, lay hold of fome of the goods
of the family, and appropriate them to their own
ule y and, when it came at laft to be difcovered,
ihey would take the advantage of their own covet-
oufnefs, and prove clearly, that by immemorial
Guftom it belonged to them as their due. Where
families were ignorant, they would affirm with the
greateft boidnefs, that fuch and fuch were the pri-
vileges cf fervants in all other places, and by that
means procure their confent. When they were not
only ignorant, but timid and cowardly, they would
go a ihort way to work, and threaten to burn their
houfes to the ground if they did not comply with
y demand.
But they excelled moft in were the arts of
flattery and deceit in rich families. Such as got
near great men, would ftand as it were in perpe-
tual: admiration of the beauty of their perfons, the
gracefulnefs of their manners, and the excellence of
their m .ndings. The fervants of fome perfons
Of great rank, had a cuftom of making up a long liit
cyery day, of the virtues which fuch perfons had that
eOR?ORATION OF SERVANTS. 3 >J*
day put in practice, and reading it over to them
next morning before they got out of bed, which was
obferved to render them quite facile and tratlable
for a long time after.
They perfuaded the credulous, that the public
good was infeparably connected with their thriving
and opulence. f Induftry," faid they, " is the
fource of wealth to a nation. Servants, every body
muft acknowledge, are the means of induftry ;
thence it follows undeniably, that the more fer-
vants the better." By the help of this argument
they obtained, that many new eftablifhments were
made for fervants. And iuch was the fafcination
that prevailed, that frequently there were fettlements
made for the provifion of menial fdvants in a wil-
dernefs, where there was hardly a fmgle creature to
ferVe *, and of hufbandmen upon a fea-fhore, where
there was ^.ct an inch of ground to cultivate. They
alio got about fick and dying per fens, and by their
officious fervices, by tending them with a]
cars, and by frequently and readily giving A
cordials, they prevailed, that many left great legacies
to them in their wills.
CHAP. III.
Continues the same Subj/ct. And particularly
gives an ace, ikable step
taken by the &
WHEN their pofleflions, id im-
munitu
to claim greater refpedt than : arid to
3°4 THE HISTORY OF A
fume additional titles and defignations. Some of
them would be no longer fervants properly fpeaking
but overfeers. They affirmed, that it was eflential
to the nature of fervants, that fome of them fhouM
be overfeers, and that there could be neither order
nor occonomy in a family without fome fuch. To
this they added fub-overfeers, and feveral other
officers for their affiftance. They then proceeded
to arch-overfeers, who had all the other overfeers,
as well as fervants, under their jurifdi&ion. At a
great meeting of the whole corporation, this was
determined and decreed to be, and to have been, a
part of the original infiitution of fervitude, without
which it could not poffibly fubfift.
Thefe encroachments were very patiently fub-
mitted to, and, one would think, had been carried
as far as the nature of the thing would admit. Yet
there remained one ftep more which exceeded every
thing that had been formerly feen, and happened as
follows. An overfeer of the capital city gathered a
great many of his contemporaries about him, and
after begging their mod ferious attention to a pro-
pofal he had to lay before them, made a fpeech to
the following purpofe. " Honoured and very dear
Brethren, You know that the life of fociety is order,
and the foul of order is fubordination. The great-
eft fervice, therefore, that we can do to our corpora-
tion, is to keep up the fubordination of officers
among us with as much ftri&nefs, and to make it
as complete and extenfive as poffible. There are
no ftru&ures which ftand fo fecurely, as thofe
that are built in the form of a cone or a pyra-
mid, becaufe they have a broad bafe, and gradually
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 305
leffen towards the top. Neither of thefe, however
is complete, but maimed or imperfect, unlets it be
carried on till it terminate in a point. Therefore, the
fubordination of" our fociety can never be entire and
perfect, till it end in a fingle perfon, who may unite
the whole, and enjoy abiblute uncontrolable domi-
nion. And, as the perfon who is on the top of a
pyramid, muil necciTarily fee farther than thofe who
Hand upon any of the lower fteps of it, fo the j
fon who is at the head of the whole Society ol tcr-
vants muft, in virtue of his office, furpafs them all in
wifdom and fagacity. Nay, as this order is 01 the
institution of nature, and as a laft refort or Supreme
judge is neceiTary to determine controversies in any
fociety, fo I do think it may be proved, that nature,
to be uniform and confident in her operations, mult
immediately infpire the perfon fo exalted, with in-
fallible knowledge, and a fort of infinite mind. Nov/,
I hope it is very plain, that I niyfelf am the perfon
to whom, and to my fucceflbr* in office, this power
and authority do of right belong/'
One of the aflembly then riles up and lays, " I
greatly fufpect this will be attended with no good
erfetts upon the intereft cf the fervants in general,
not to mention the intereft of the families, which,
from a feme of duty to the corporation, I entirely
give up. At any rate, it ought not to be gone in-
to precipitatelv *, for it is a prodigious innovation/1
" Quite otherwise," fays the former Speaker j " for
though I have condescended toreafon with you, ami
Ihow you that in the nature of things, there mult b»
one wholike the top Itone of a pyramid, is incilml
on the whole body ; as aLfoj that tl
306 THE HISTORY OF 4
than myfelf, who dwell in the centre of this vaft em-
pire ; yet I can give undeniable evidence, that it hath
been always fo in fact, fince there was an empire
here, and fince there were fervants." The objc£tor
then (hook his head, as who ihould fay that is far
from being a clear point, and feemed to wonder
from whence this evidence was to proceed. The
other immediately goes on, " It is as clear as the
fun ; for though all the records that contained this
regulation are loft, yet I very well remember that
my nurfe told me before I was two years of age,
that her grandmother's filter's coufin-german allur-
ed her it was fa£t."
However unwilling, one would think, men fhould
be to give up their natural rights, and fubmit to ufur-
ped authority, yet fo it was that they foon agreed to
this fcheme ; and, indeed, it appeared to have been
not ill projected for their own ends. It is not to be
conceived at how fpeedy a pace they advanced, in
acquiring and extending their dominion. They
quite inverted the ufe of language ; for when they
fpoke of the family they always meant the fervants;
cr, if they faid any thing would tend to the good of
the family, it was to be underftood, that it would
promote the increafe of the wages, privileges, and
immunities of the fervants. In many places the
fervants grew upon the families, and turned them
out altogether. In fome of the moft delicious fpots
of the country, you* would have feen fine feats and
inclofures wholly pofiefled by fervants, who abfo-
lutely refufed to do any work, but gave themfelves
up to lazy contemplation. If any body had prefum-
ed to alk them the meaning of this, they faid they
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 307
were employed in ftudylng the theory of fervice, and
wifhing that all fervants might be good, and all fa-
milies well fupplied.
It has been obferved above, that they began their
fcheme by flattering the rich and great men, and en-
deavouring to infinuate themfelves into their favour.
But as foon as their power was fufhciently eftablifh-
ed, they changed their note, and treated the moil
coniiderable men of the country with great haughti-
nefs and contempt. They affirmed it to be abfo-'
lutely neceffary for the public good, that they fhould
have much more honour and refpecl: paid them.
That, as they were undeniably the moft ufeful rank
of men by confequence they were the moft honour-
able. Inftead of being humble and fubmifliye, they
infilled, that all the people, from the higheft to
the lowed, mould pay a profound refpecl: to the
overfeers, arch-overfeers,and other dignitaries, whofe
names I have forgot, becaufe they had neither fenfe nor
meaning. Nay, the emperor of the fervants arrived in
time at fuch power, that he made the richefl men in
the country* even the governors of provinces to trem-
ble. He ordered them fometimes to wipe his fhoes;
and, when they mifbehaved or fhowed the leaft
backwardnefs, commanded them to be whipt.
When my informer mentioned this circumftance,
I could not help difcovering much amazement at
the pufillanimity of thefe people, and even modeiUy
hinted fome fufpicion as to the truth of the i
He infifted, however, in the moft pofitive m. u
on the truth of his account, and added, that he hail
many things ftill more wonderful to comma
as an inftance of which he aihrmed, that it was no:
JOB THE HISTORY OF A
only ufual for the emperor to order great men to be
whipt, but even to command them to whip them-
felves. All this they were obliged to fubmit to, for
he had the lower fer?ants, and the whole kingdom
^ibfolutely under his influence. If any perfon or fa-
mily had difputed his will in the leaft article, they
would either, without more ado, burn the houfe
and them in it, or they would wholly give over
work, and neither provide them with food nor fuel,
io that they behoved immediately to ftarve.
What contributed not a little to eflablifh this
ulurpation, was a very fingular fcheme which they
fell upon while they were flattering great men, and
perfuading them to make new eftablilhments for Ser-
vants. This was, that families fhould not be per-
mitted to choofe fervants for themfelves, but that a
lord or any other great man, fhould have the power
of nominating the fervants within a certain dirtric~r.
They never failed to invent plaufible reafons for aH
their fchemes. In fupport of this it was allcdged,
that fa ilies were often whimfical in their choice.
That fome would prefer a fervant becaufe he was tall,
-and others becaufe he was fhort ; fome becaufe his
hair was red, others becaufe it was black. That they
did not know when they were well ferved, and when
they were not. That they wrere apt to be impofed
on by fuch as had fmooth tongues and could flatter
them That, if families and "fervants were in a
good underftanding, they would raife fedition and
fubvert the conftitution.
On the other hand it was thought exceeding
clear, that great men would underfland the intercft
of the country, and the capacity of fervants, much
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 309
better than the vulgar. As alfo, that they were
above all fufpicion of partiality, and would be fure
always to fend fit and accotnplifhed fervants to every
houfe. But alas ! the contrary of all this was foon
found by experience. They learned fpeedily to fell
every place to the higheft bidder, unlefs when they
had a favourite or dependant to gratify, which in-
deed at bottom was the fame thing. vHowever, they
were foon made dupes to the fervants, for when the
profit of this fale was found out, the overfeers and
arch-overfeers gradually ufurped the nomination to
themfelves, and at laft it came to be made an addi-
tion to the great and overgrown power of the em-
peror.
Itxnay eafxly b? fuppofed things were now in a
fad fituation, and they continued fo, as tradition and
written records aflure us, for many ages. The lands
lay uncultivated ; the people were reduced to the
greateft mifery imaginable; they were forrily clothed,
and worfefed. No body profpered but the fervants,
or rather, only the upper ranks of them, the noble
and honourable fervants, the overfeers and arch-over-
feers. To thefe indeed may be added the idle and
fpeculative fort, who were fettled in hives, in the
moll pleafant and fruitful vallies, in every province.
As for the poorer or lowed clafs of fervants, who ac-
tually did any work for the families, they were as
much oppreiTed, by this time, as their made
Their wages were moftly taken up by lazy over leer*,
or exhaufted by heavy taxes which they were oblig-
ed to pay to the emperor, and his court.
Vol. VI. D d
310 TUT. IUTORY OF A
CHAP. IV.
A terrible Blow given to the Domination of
the Servants; and particularly to the Power
of the Emperor.
IT appears to be a fa£, though not very well ac-
counted for by philofophers, that, when men
have been long accuftomed to flavery, they hug their
ins, and become fo blinded, as to pride themfelves
in their rtiifety itfelf. A poor peafant, in a neigh-
bouring country, whofe face is pale with hunger,
and mily fcarce covered with rags, through the
his prince, yet will be very ready to
venture his life in vindication of the tyrant's honour,
and count hrmfelf extremely happy to lay it down
in defence of his perfon. So it happened with the
people under confideration. They were fo delu
by thefe fervants, that, as their condition, fo their
reafon itfelf was turned upfide down. They glor
in the ufurpati.n of the fervants over them, wcrfhip-
ped them often as they pafled, and ftoutly defended
all their rights and privileges.
If by chance it happened, (as there were always
fome in every age) that one thought fit to complain of
deb -uchery, avarice and tyranny of the fer-
Vants, his brethren immediately raifed a hideous accu-
i(l him, and the ftupid people generally
joined in the cry. They immediately aflifted his
felic t ) feize him, to imprifon him, and, ac-
cording to the degree of his offence, to puniih him.
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 3 I I
They firft, indeed, took the mod charitable pains to
convince him of his error. If upon this, he was will-
• to rec d folemnly to declare that the con-
1: oi ih admirable, and the character
of them all unb lameable, he was difmifled only with
a good beating. But, if he was obftinate, and infii
on teiiing the truth, he was carried to a dreadful
erraneous place, and there put to the moil h .-
rid and mocking tortures, which at length er.
death.
However, at laft, this myftery of iniquity got a
terrible blow. One of the lower Tenants, 01
honeft heart, and a determined refolute temper, be-
ing filled with indignation at the oppreflion wl
the reft were guilty of, fet himfelf to open the eyes
of the public, and expofe their wvkednefs. He
made a full difeovery of all the frauds fa any
how been acquainted with, and fpared not I
ruption of the emperor's court. Laying down only
this plain principle, that fervants were obli.
to promote at all times the real intereft of their
mailers, he fet the abominable conduct of the
covetous blood-fuckers in the mod odious light.
Whenever he went" to a fair, or other plac^of pub-
lic concourfe, he would get upon an eminence, and,
in a long difcourfe, endeavour to route the people
from their lethargy, and inflame them with rck
ment againft their oppreflbrs.
This furniihed his brethren with an opportu
of reprefenting him as a dilturber of the |
loading him with innumerable calumnies. Many
tumults were railed againft him, and lie was oi
in imminent danger of his life. V
Dd2
J 12 THE HISTORY OF A
rowly efcaped being ftoned in public, they would
often hire defperadoes to aflaffinate him in private ;
and femetimes ;.tt«-mpted to bribe his ii,tin ate
friends to take him .off by poifon. However, by a
mixture of bravery and caution m himfelf, together
with the afliftance of fome faithful friends, who
i aw how much he was promoting their interefi, or
rather, by a mod fingular providence, he was al-
ways brought ofFfafe. At Lift, a few of the other
fervants joined him, and they together opened the
eyes of feveral provinces of the empire. Thefe
came to a formal refolution of calling off the yoke
of the emperor, and fettling the fervants upon a
quite new, or rather bringing them back to the old,
Teafonable, and natural foundation.
This was not brought about without a moft violent
and pertinacious oppofition. The emperor imme-
diately founded the alarm, and fet the fervants
in motion throughout all his dominions. He
could not be fuppofed, indeed, to look upon fuch a
fcheme with indifference ; for it plainly tended to
ftrip him of a great part of his revenue and power :
nor was it eafy to fee where it would flop. He
therefore cried out againft it with all his might.
He fent out a proclamation, in which he affirmed
hat it ftruck againft the very being of fervants, and
that the defign was no lefs than to exterminate them
from the face of the earth. He reprefented it as
the moft unnatural thing that ever was heard of.
That there had been fometimes confpiracies of fer-
vants againft their mafters, but a joint confpiracy
of mafters againft their own fervants, and of fer-
vants againft their fellow-fervants, was abfolutefy
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS
A
without precedent. He concluded with a folemn
execration, devoting all who fhould continue in
this rebellion to complete and irretrievable ruin.
The confequence of this y&& a civil war in the
kingdom. Many battles were fought, in which
there was dreadful flaughter on both fides, and
multitudes taken prifoners, who were none of them
ufed very well. The emperor indeed, and his
court, had a manifeft advantage, by long practice,
in devifing the moft exquifite methods of revenge
and cruelty. But, to fhorten my narrative : After
many violent and bloody difputes, as well as ufelefs
conferences, at laft ibme provinces agreed to keep
the old way, and fome eftabiifhed the new. Par-
ticularly, in one Northern province there was at/
the time of the change, a moft excellent method
and order eftabiifhed with regard "to the fervants.
They not only renounced the authority of the em-
peror ; but all -overfeers, arch-overfeers, auditors,
controllers, accountants, keepers of records, and
other unneceffary officers were banimed at or
and none fuffered to continue but ufeful working
fervan' The fpeculative drones were expelled,
and their lands given to perfons of rank and worth
in the province. regulation was aboliihed,
extremely pernicious, which permitted lords or gr
men to name fervants to others, fo that every family
ehofe fuch as bell pleafed then.. 1 fuch as
were well* qualified for the bufinefs for which they
were hired. The exorbitant increafe of their
reduced as well as all ( * gant perquifit
and only a moderate provifion a \tJL
Dd3
Y
lTi THE HISTORY OE *
*
CHAR \ .
Same account of the Reformed Establishment,
in a Northern Province ; and the happy
effects that followed upon it for a time.
It begins, however, again to degenerate.
THE people of this province were now fo fully
convinced of the terrible confequences of
the late ufurpation, that they reforved to ufe all pof-
fible precautions, to prevent the return of corruption
for the future. In this the fervants themfelves feem-
ed to concur very heartily, and were apparently ani-
mated with a warm zeal againft the worthlcfs part of
their own order. Many excellent rules were laid
down in the meetings of the corporation. They were
ordered under the fevereft penalties to apply them-
felves diligently to their bufinefs •, to live fober,
grave, and mortified lives ; to forbear all ranting,
junketing, and gaming. They were forbid all tra-
velling abroad, or wandering from their families,
but upon urgent occafions, and with leave aflced
and given. If any were cofivi&ed of difhonefty,
Lzinefs, or difobedience, they were not only dif-
mifled, but ftript of their clothes, branded in their
foreheads, and declared utterly incapable of ever
being again employed.
The greateft ftri&nefs imaginable was ufed in
trying them, as to their fufHciency in every branch
©f bufinefs for which they were hired \ and Yery di-
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. JlJ
figent inquiry made into their character for honeft^
and flncerity. When they were introduced to any
family, they were folemnly bound by a tremendous
oath, to have the good of the family always at heart,
and that they {hould never do any thing, directly or
indirectly, that might tend to its prejudice. But
above all, there was a ilriet law made, and declar-
ed to be unalterable, that no fervant fhould be for-
ced upon any family againft their will. la order
to fecure, in the moll effectual manner, the exe-
cution of thefe laws, it was refolved, that, in the
government of the corporation, there mould be
joined with the fervants certain perfons of the moil
prudent fort from the families. Thefe were called
helpers, they had no falaries, but being naturally
a fort of reprefentatives of the people, it was ex-
pected they would univerfally fupport their intereil.
For a long time this province was exceeding hap*
py in their reformed constitution. The moil per-
fect harmony fubfifted .between maiters and fer-
vants. The work cf the fervants feemed to be a
pleafure to them, and, on the other hand, the
members of every family feemed to vie with one
another who fhould treat their fervants with the
greateft tendernefs and humanity. Once or twice
there was an attempt made to introduce overfeers
and arch-overfeers among them, from a neighbour-
ing province which had retained thefe officers,
though they would not fuffer them to be fubje<ft to
the emperor. However, the people fhowing a pro-
per fpirit, they were flill thrown cut. All this
time, matters went on exceedingly well, the fields
316 THE HISTORY OF A
were afTiduoafly cultivated, and brought every year
immenfe crops; and plenty as well as harmony .
every where to be feen.
But alas ! after a long feafon of peace and quiet,
things began to alter for the worfe. Ambition, ava-
rice, and luxury, would not be kept out by the ba-
nishment of the old titles. They found a way of in-
troducing themfelves, under cover of the form that
then prevailed, without any apparent change. The
moft important ftep towards bringing this about,
was re-eftabli filing the law which empowered great
men to nominate fervants to inferior families. This
was fubmitted to the more eafily, becaufe they only
nominated them to the falary, provided that the
corporation fhould think proper to introduce them
to the family. For this purpofe, the moft facred
laws required an invitation from the family itfelf.
But the young fervants foon began to find, that it
was far eafier for many of them to play the parafite
or fycophant about great mens houfes, that they
might procure a writ of nomination, than to acquire
a good reputation for diligence in their work. That
wras the road, therefore, in which the greateft part
of them travelled to preferment.
Many and fierce were the druggies, for feveral
years, in the meetings of the corporation about in-
troducing fervants to families. As all the laws re-
quired an invitation from the family, when any per-
fon was nominated, a neighbouring court would fend
a deputation to the family, to afk them whether they
would take fuch a one for their fervant or not. Seme-
times they wheedled and flattered, and fometimes
threatened them, if they would not comply. If
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
.?
any eonfented, their names were fet down three or
four times, to fweli the number : if any were an-
gry and fpoke impertinently, they were fuppofed to
be out of their fenfes, and incapable of judging.
After thefe arts were ufed, they would fit down
gravely to determine the matter, and find, that there
was in this inflance a moil: agreeable and harmo-
nious invitation.
It is impofiible to help fmiling, when one re -lefts
upon the various methods ufed in concluding this
bufmefs. — Sometimes they could not get a fingle
perfon in a houfe to accept of the fervant who had
been nominated. When this happened, they ufed
to fend for all the relations of the family, even the
mod diflant coufins, and afk their confent, which
was eafily obtained, becaufe it was nothing to them
whether the family were well ferved or ill. — When
they had obtained it, if a complaint was made, they
endeavoured to prove, by very ingenious reafonings,
that thefe diftant relations had as ^ood a title to in-
vite a fervant as any perfon whatever. Matters
however, drove on very heavily for a while \ but in
order to facilitate them, many gentlemen of eilates,
who knew not much either about fervice or fervants,
procured themfelves to be chofen to the office of
helpers. Not that they helped to do any thing: but,
getting in to be mem' .is of the courts of the cor-
poration, they contributed to provide fervants in
places. By this means many were provided with n
piece of bread, who had been poor fneaking felh
and had followed them in their youth, in hunti
tilling, and other diverfions.
Such was the fituation of affairs when my informer
3lS j OF A
went into the country, and, as the cafe was \\;y
jular, the reader may eafily guefs how much it
d his attention. He relided chiefly in this
Northern province, and, therefore, his remarks were
mofdy confined to what happened among them. It
dd be endieis to mention all that he told me,
but the principal obfervations fhall be communicated
to the world in the following chapters.
chap. vr.
(jf the great impropriety often seen in the ap-
pointment of servants i and the sentiments
of the inhabitants on that subject.
THERE is commonly, in every fociety, fome
radical principle which governs and modifies
the reft, and gives a tincture to all the meafures
that are carried on, whatever be their particular
fubje£t, or feeming intention. In the cafe before
us, the fundamental error appears to have been the
power of nomination which was given to great men.
The confequence of this was, an exceflive impro-
priety in the appointment of fervants to different
families. If a poor ordinary family wanted a houfe-
hold fervant, fometimes a Lord would fend them a
foreign cook out of his own kitchen. This fellow
would fpeak fuch minced broken language, that
they could not underftand him ; and the meat he
drefled for them they could not endure to look upon.
When they defired him to provide plain foHd food,
fuch as they had been in ufe to eat, and in fufficient
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 3 To
quantity to fill their bellies, he would ferve them
up a courfe cf flimfy difhes, finely garniihed, but
entirely difguifed, fo that the poor people could not
1magine what they contained. If at any time they
made complaint of this, he triumphed over their
clownifh ignorance and unrefined tafte, and would
offer to prove to the fatisfaction of all men of fenfe',
that he perfectly underftood his art.
In innumerable fuch inftances they went entirely
in the face of common fenfe, in the choice and ap-
pointment of fervants. Sometimes, if a family
wanted a plowman or a gardener, they would 1
them a huntfman, or a running footman. If a consi-
derable merchant wanted a book-keeper, they would
find him a ftupid ignorant fellow who could :
ther write nor read. For this prepofterous conduct
there was no remedy. The great men counted the
right of nomination as a precious jewel, which no
confideration could induce them to part with. And
as the power of determination, in all difputed cafes,
lay in courts compofed of fervants, they ftremioufly
Supported the moft unreasonable appointment*.
This was naturally to be expe£ted, becaufe a con-
trary conduct would have been a filent impeach-
ment of many of themfelves, as unfit for their pre-
sent (tat ions.
it happened in this cafe, as I oh
had happened in a former age, many loved to 1
it fo. The people of better rank, and thofe who
would be thought to be of better rank, by an 111
countable fafcination, not only approved, but ad-
mired thefe meafures. To allow families, th
to choofe fervants for themfelves, would be a iourcr
320 THE HISTORY OF A
«f endlefa confufion, but that the prefent flttf
plainly a fimplc, rational, uniform, and peaceable
method of proceeding. It was a common and a fa-
shionable topic of converfation, to defpife the folly
and impudence of the common people, who had
always a ftrong inclination to choofe their own fer-
Vants, and looked with a very evil eye upon thofe
who were thus billeted upon them againft their
wills. If any perfon, in a company, had but figni-
fied that he thought this conduct inconfiftent with
equity or good policy, he was not thought fit to be
reafoned with, but a great and loud laugh was im-
mediately raifed againft him, fo that he was not
•nly put to filence, but to confufion. Nay, there
were not wanting many who affirmed, that no body
could be fincerely of that opinion, but that it was
only pretended, from bafe and finifter views.
I muft obferve here, that when my informer was
en this part of the fubjeel:, which indeed he often
refumed, as what had made a great impreflion upon
his own mind, I could not help agiin difeovering
marks of aftoniftiment. I told him, I very well
knew the abfurdities of which the human mind
is capable, yet this feemed to be the moft incredible
of any thing that I had ever read or heard of ; that
it (hould be laughed down as a ridiculous notion,
that families ought to be at liberty to choofe their
own fervants. On this he was not a little offended,
and fpeaking with fome acrirnony, fays, " It was to
gratify your curiofity, Sir, that, in this and former
conventions, I have given an account of my obfer-
vations in foreign countries. If you defire to hear
no more, I (hall be wholly filent •, but give me leave
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. JSU
to fay, that the treatment which we travellers meet
with when we return home, is at once unreafonable
and ungrateful. If we tell you things that are com-
mon, you look upon them as infipid and trifling ;
and, if we tell you things that are quite new and
furprifing, you let us know with great good manners,
that you do not believe us."
Then after a little paufe, " Pray Sir," fays he,
46 how many nations are there in Europe, Afia, or
Africa, who think themfelves at liberty to choofe
their own prince, or to bring him to an account for
oppreflion or bad government." Truly, faid I, I
believe not above five or fix. " Well then," fays
he, " if, perhaps, fifty to one of mankind, have
thought it a fin or folly for them to choofe their own
mafters, is it modeft in you to fufpe& my veracity,
when I tell you of one nation, where it became fa-
(hionable to think that they ought not to choofe
their own fervants."
11 But to come a little clofer to the point," fays
he, " are you not a member of the feleft fociety in
E h ?" I am, and glory in it as a mod ho-
nourable diftin&ion. "Have you not taken agricul-
ture under your patronage ?" Undoubtedly ; and
by what means can we better promote the intereft
of the public ? " By none, I admit. But fuffer me
to proceed with my interrogatories. Have you
bought any land with the profits of your improve-
ments f" Not yet. They are but in their infancy,
and have coft me a great deal of expence. li Arc
the crops of improvers generally better than thole
of other people ?" I cannot fay they are. " You
ought," fays he, " to have confefled that they
Vol. VI. E e
3^2 THE HISTORY OF A
commonly worfe; for, according to my obfervation,
the mark of an improver is not to have a good crop,
but to be able to give a rational and philofophical
account how he came to have a bad one. But have
you not alfo encouraged a man to write books, and
read lectures upon agriculture, who made himfelf a
beggar by putting it in practice ?" Perhaps it rhay
be fo, but he underftood the theory. " How came
you to believe that he underftood the theory? Alas!
ulas ! Sir, abfurdities coming into fafhion is not fo
rare a thing at home, as to entitle you to doubt the
truth of my narrative, when I told you of the mil-
takes and delufions of a certain people abroad."
I confefs I was never more nettled at any thing,
tffan at this unexpected attack upon the laudable* at-
tempts among us, of late, to improve our native
country. To compare them with the monftrous
.condu£t. of the unpolifhed American people defcrib-
ed in this bock^ was unlufreratle. T~could not,
therefore, let the matter drop, but told him, All
that you have faid, Sir, might eafily be anfwered ;
however, not to fpend time upon it at prefent, what
do you think of, or what have you to fay againft
the excellent and rational trafts which have been
publifhed by private gentlemen of fortune among
us, upon agriculture? Do they not contain the clear-
eft arithmetical calculations, of the profit to arife
from the method laid down ? " I fay," anfwered he,
■fi they are all what the lawyers call felo de fe> and
totally inadmiffible." Your reafon, pray. " My
reafon ! why, truly, I have more reafons than one.
In the firji place, they always put me in mind of a
quack doctor with his catholicon. They have but
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 323
one remedy for all difeafes. A gentleman happens
to be flruck with fome new theoretic?) 1 principle,
and immediately falls to work, runs down every
thing elfe, and applies this wonderful difcovery to
all purpofes, all foils, and all feafons. You know
what enthufiafts the horfe hoers and pulverifers are.
Many of them are clearly of opinion, that dung is
prejudicial to ground, as ferving only to engender
weeds. I was once quite of this opinion mvfeif.
and found no other difficulty in it, than how gentle-
men and farmers would get quit of their dung,
which, not being returned to the ground in the way
of manure, mult foon grow up to an enormous,
and at the fame time, molt naufeous and of:
heap. When under thefe apprehenfions, I renK
ber to have projected a fcheme to be carried on by
fubfeription, which would have proved an effectual
remedy. The method was to have plans taken of
every county, in which the level (hould be marked,
then canals to be carried through all the low grou
and fmaller du£ls drawn from every gentleman and
farmer's houfe, terminating in thefe canals, which,
by the help of a collection of rain water at every
houfe, would, at certain feafons of the year, carry
away the whole dung, and at laft empty it into the
fea. The expence of this fcheme would, indeed,
have been very confiderable •, but the gre it advan-
tages to be reaped from it, I apprehended, would
foon convince every body of its utility. Now, ho
ever ridiculous fuch a fcheme may be, I am fully
convinced it would have been put in pracl:
certain county, if it had not been for the incorrigible
obftinacy of the common people. I am alio of opi-
E e 2
SM THE HISTORY OF A
nion, that it would have fucceeded, ami that dung
would have been wholly banifhed in a (hort time.
This would have happened, not only by the help of
the canals, but the crops would have been fo thin
i fpiritual, that the cattle who fed upon them
would have pafled very little of a grofs or excre-
mental nature.
" I (hall not trouble you, continued he, at this
time, with any more of my reafons but one. It
ieems highly incredible, that if the new fchemes of
agriculture were fo profitable as their authors give
out, they would be fo generous as to difcover them
gratis to the public, and even prefs the faid public
to accept of them. It is more probable they would
keep them as a fecret in their own families, till
their excellence were difcovered by their vifible
effects, I know a manufacturing town, where, if
any man fall upon a method of working, or a fabric
of goods, that is likely to bring a good profit, he
is fo far from preffing it upon his neighbours, that he
ufes every poffible precaution to keep it to himfelf.
On the other hand, his neighbours are as inquifitive
as he is fecret ; and commonly both difcover and
imitate it in a very little time. There is a difpo-
fition in mankind to refift what is forged upon them,
and to leave no method unc flayed to come at what
is induftrioufly placed out of their reach.
" I would, therefore, humbly recommend it to
all improvers, to give over talking upon the fubjeft,
ar.d to fall heartily about putting their ruleo in
pra&ice : and, I can promrfe them, that if they be
fuccefsful, it will not be lcng before they wih be
quite common, Or, let every peribn who difcovers.
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 325
a noftrum in agriculture, apply to the government
for a patent that no body may be fuffered to uie it
except himfelf, and thofe who (hall pay him fuihcient-
]y for the ingenuity of his invention. I can allure
you, fir, that if I had faid to the people whom I
left a few years ago, that I knew a nation, where
it was common for benevolent perfons to point out
to them plain, eafy, cheap, and certain methods of
growing rich, but they would not be perfuaded to
ufe them, I would have had the fame compliment
paid me, which you were pleafed to pay me fome
time ago, that I was taking the privilege of a tra-
veller."
I fhall not trouble the reader wTith faying how far
I was convinced by this reafoning, only it made me
refolve to be entirely filent, as to any further parti-
culars I fhould learn concerning the corporation of
fervants, how ftrange and unaccountable foever they
might be. Hav-ing therefore, brought this unavoid-
able digreiTion to a clofe, we proceed with the hiftory.
CHAP. ML
Great partiality in the trial of Servants, and
uncertainty in the characters given of them.
IF the reader recollects what was faid in the
preceding chapter, it is probable he will be fur-
prifed, that the corporation, with the powers ^iven
them, did not, for their own credit, look better
into the qualifications of fervants. Since it was in
Ee 3
2l(S THE HISTORY OF A
their pow.er to licenle them or not, it may be fup-
pofed they would take effectual care, that no in-
efficient perfon (hould be admitted. But it is to
be obferved, that fo foon as the method of fixing
fervantb, upon the nomination of lords or great
men, came to be again in ufe, the trial of their
fufficiency turned to a mere farce. There might be
fome degree of integrity found in one court -9 but4
in fuch a cafe, candidates had nothing to do but
apply to another, where he would find, perhaps a
fet of rafcally fellows who were afhamed of no-
thing. To what a degree of bold nefs they ventured
to proceed, may be feen from the following account
of what literally happened.
A certain court was going upon the examination
of a young man, who defired to have a certificate
that he was fully accomplished as a fervant, and
particularly well fkilled in the cultivation of land.
A grave and ancient member afked him, Pray, fir,
what is the bell way of plowing hard ftifF land ?
Anf. By running a wheel barrow over it. The
examinator was highly offended with the abfurdity
of the anfwer, and fhowed plainly in his counte-
nance a mixture of furprize and indignation. But
another member of court, being of a meek and
gentle temper, and a great enemy to feverity,
thought proper to interpofe. He fays to his bro-
ther, My dear fir, the- young man is modeft and
bafliful, which in itfelf is a moft amiable difpofi-
tion, though it hinders him from anfwering fo dif-
tinctly, as were to be wifhed. Then, turning to
the candidate, he fays, I dare fay, fir, you know
well enough that a wheel-barrow cannot plough
CORPORATION 0? SERVANTS. ^If
land, becaufe it will not enter into the foil, nor
open it fufficiently. Muft not hard ftiff land be
broken and pulverifed, in order to make it fruit-
ful ? Anf. Yes, fir.
Then the firft refumed his examination. Now,
pray fir, Can you tell me how deep land ough:
be ploughed when it is well done ? He, though
quite ignorant of the fubject, being naturally a
man of mettle and acutenefs, imagined, from what
he had heard, that the deeper the better, and im-
mediately anfwered, fix yards. On this his exa~
minator fell into a violent paflion, and faid, How
have you the impudence, fir, to aik us to inftal
you as a ploughman when you know nothing of the
matter? Was there ever fuch a thing heard or
feen fince the beginning of the world, as plough-
ing land fix yards deep ? or what conception could
you have, in your own mind, of the pcilibility of
the thing ? You ought to have a fentence palled a-
gainft you, wholly incapacitating you for any place
in this country.
The noble and generous fpirit of the candidate
was roufed by this fevere treatment ; fo, he replied,
Pray fir, do you imagine that, in this improved age
the fervants of the eftablithed corporation are
brought up to a thorough knowledge of the
branches of bufinefs, for which the falaries are ap-
pointed ? For my own particular part, you ov
not to be furprifed that I could not tell you how
landThould be ploughed, for I never faw a plough
in my life. How, when, where and by whom
were you educated then ? lays the other in am
Anf. I ferved an npprenticelhip in a toy-fhop. Yoj
3*8 THE HISTORY OF A
well, fays the examinator, blefied, precious, happy
improved times ! I have no more to add, I give up
the examination to any body that pleafes.
When this difcontented zealot had dropt the dif-
courfe, fome other moderate man afked him a few
polite and fafhionable queflions, fuch as, what is
the genteeleft lining for a red coat ? in what man-
ner mould you prefent a glafs of wine to a lord, and
how to a farmer ? whether is hunting or fifhing the
pleafanteft diverfion ? whether mould the fervants or
the children of a family have the beft lodging,
diet, &c. ? After a few minutes had been fpent
in this manner, it was carried by a great majori-
ty that he had anfwered extremely well, and was
in every refpecl: a moft accompliflied fervant.
It was ufual for the fervants to carry certificates
with them, from the inferior courts of the cor-
poration, wherever they went ; but if any man had
trufted to thefe certificates, he would have found
himfelf miferably miftaken. They had taken up a
principle, that a man might •atteft any thing to be
true, which he did not know to be falfe. On this
principle, for a proper confideration, a vagrant fel-
low, of whom they knew little or nothing, would
eafily obtain a certificate declaring him to be a com-
plete fervant for every branch of bufinefs, and in
particular, an admirable cook, gardener, or what-
ever elfe he himfelf defired to be fpecified. If, upon
trial, he was found totally deficient in any of the
branches mentioned, and complaint was made to
the court who certified for him, they thought they
were fully excufed if they could fay, that upon their
honour they knew nothing about him, and were
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 3*9
wholly ignorant whether he was a good fervant or
a oad. On all fuch occafions they ufcd to launch
out in praife of charity, and alledge, that every man
had a right to another's good word, as far as it
would go, uniefs he had forfeited it by fome parti-
cular and known misdemeanor.
CHAP. VIII.
Servants of different characters. A sketch
the good and bad. The inveterate haired of
the bad against the good.
HOWEVER general the corruption was, the
reader is not to imagine that all fervants
were of the fame character, or behaved in the lame
manner. There were flill fome, here and there*
who a&ed in a manner fuitable to their ftr»tion, who
minded their bufmefs, loved their mailers, and
were beloved by them." Thefe made as great a ftrug-
gle as they could to keep matters right in the meet-
ings of the corporation, though, commonly with
very indifferent fuccefs The oppefite principles
and conduct of the two forts may be learned from
the following particular?.
They differed, toto cce/o, in their very profeffion
and manner of fpeaking. The modern falhionable
party affirmed, that courage and fclf-fufficiency
ought to be the leading character of a fervant. That
he ought always to be fpeaking in praife of his own
deeds. That he ought never to allow of any m
or miftake in his behaviour \ but on the coi
33° THE HISTORY OF A
to infift that he deferved the higheft approbation.
Who is obliged, faid they, to fpeak well of a man
who fpcaks ill of himfelf? can there be any thing
more pufillanimous, than for a fervant to be always
eonfefiing that he can do very little to any purpofe ?
On the other hand, the honefter fort of fervants
declared, that they thought pride and confide:
were in themfelves hateful, and quite intolerable
in fervants. That they fhould not make high pre-
tenfions, left they mould be brought but to the
greater flianie *, that they mould acknowledge the
great imperfection of every thing they did, and ex-
pect to be rewarded, not for the worth or value of
their fervice, but from the goodnefs and indulgence
of their mafters.
It was curious to obferve the different effects of
thefe principles. Thofe who fpoke in the higheft
terms of their own qualifications, were always the
moll negligent and mod unfaithful. They grudged
every thing they did, and laid hold of innumerable
pretences for fhortening their hours of labour, and
procuring days of relaxation. If, at any time, one
of them had done a piece of work in a tolerable
manner, he could hardly be brought to do any more
for two days *, but was wholly taken up in admiring
his own ingenuity, aud commending it to all who
would take the pains to liften to him. Qn the con-
trary, the humble and felf- denied were always bufy,
applied themfelves to their duty with the utmoft care
and afliduity, and thought they could never do
enough. They never once called in queftion the
hours "of labour, but confidered the neceffity of the
family, or the importance of the work they vrere en-
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 33 I
gaged in. When any body happened to commend
one of them for his diligence, he entreated them to
forbear fuch difcourfe, for he was very fenfible he
had not done the thoufandth part of what he ought
to have done.
Men came to be fo fenfible of the different effects
of thefe principles, that almoft every family earned-
ly wifhed to have fervants of the felf-denying cha-
racter, and perfectly hated the other. If they en-
tered into converfation with an unknown fervant,
they were particularly attentive to the drain of his
difcourfe, and though he were upon his guard,
would with great fagacity penetrate his fentiments.
But, alas ! this ferved very little purpole ; for, if he
had intereft to procure a writ of nomination, they
were obliged to receive him, and then being fixed
in the faddle, he made a full difcovery of both his
principles and practice.
Nothing was more remarkable than the rancorous
hatred which the felf-fufiicient bore to the humble
fervants \ efpecially fuch as fhowed the moft re-
markable diligence in their work. They fpread
ilanders againil them without number. They ufed
to go about with indefatigable diligence, among the
great men, and nominators to the eftablifned fala-
ries, to exafperate their minds againft them, .
prevent their fettlement or promotion. They repre-
sented them as a fet of poor, fiily, (heating, fpirit-
Jefs fellows, who, for no other end than to throw
an odium on the more free and generous li\
would work longer than ufual. For the fame rea-
fon, it was pretended, that, when the reft wer
their paftime, running, jumping, or cudgel playing,
J* THE HISTORT Oif A
then to be fure, thefe hypocrites would be dri\
si (lake, or pruning a tree about a farm, or picking
weeds from a garden or field of corn. They repre-
iented them, alio, (which was indeed partly true)
as acquiring a (tiffruilic air, by often (looping, and
habitual application to their work.
Neither were they wanting in executing their re-
venge againfl their enemies themfelves, whenever
an opportunity offered. If two or three of the loofcr
fort met, by chance, one of the induftrious in a fo-
litary place, or going of an errand, they cunningly
folicited him to join with them in fome diverfion,
for example, blind-man's-buff, or any other. If he
complied, they all confpired againfl him, and drub-
bed him heartily : and after they had done fo, one
was immediately difpatched to inform againft him,
and let the family he belonged to know how he had
been fpending his time, fo that he was no better
than his neighbours. Whenever they difcovered a
fervant in a field after the ufual time of labour, they
would get behind the hedges and pelt him unmerci-
fully with (lones, fo that he returned home, not
only fatigued with his work, but feverely fmarting
with the wounds he had received.
Such was not only the conduct of individuals, but
the very fame fpirit prevailed in the meetings of the
corporation, from the lowed to the higheft. None
met with fo fevere treatment from them as honefl
induftrious fervants, who were beloved in the fami-
lies where they were placed ; neither was there any
crime fo heinous as being more diligent than the
generality of other fervants. If any family accuf-
ed a. fervant of piliering, negligence, drunkennefs
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 333
or wantonnefs among the maids, thefe were all hu-
man infirmities, no way atrocious -in their nature.
They were alfo hard to be afcertained ; fo that it
was almoft impoflible to bring a proof of the fa£ls
to the fatisfa&ion of the court. But, if one hap-
pened to be accufed of doing any uncommon fervice
at their defire, or working when others were allow-
ed to play, this was high treafon againft the confti-
tution : and he was condemned without mercy, and
fometimes without hearing.
But of all the crimes of this fort, the moft unpar-
donable was whatever tended to impeach the wifdom,
or weaken the authority of the annual meetings of
the corporation. When an inferior court was or-
dered to introduce a fervant into a family who had
refufed to receive him, fometimes a member or two
would humbly reprefent, that the terms of the oath
appeared to them abfurd and profane in that in-
fiance, and begged to be excufed. — Whenever this
happened, they were dragged as delinquents to the
bar, rated and abufed, (tripped, and branded, declar-
ed infamous, and incapable even of repentance. It
was many times affirmed in the general meeting,
that no man could be guilty of a crime which fu
much as approached in guilt to that of difparaging
fhe authority of the corporation of fervants*
I mud take this opportunity of acquainting tl -
reader with a ftory that happened a few years before
my informer'.Ieft the country. One of the fervan
who was a great oppoferof the prevailing metfui
finding his brethren to be deaf to ferious reafon:
fell upon a fingular device. Being poflefled of
of humour, and knowing a little of the art of
Vol. VI. F f
334 TIIE HISTORY OF A
ing, he drew a picture of the droll or ludicrous kind,
in which, by ^enigmatical characters, he represent-
ed the various impofitions of the fervants in general.
He alfo took off the likenefles of the principal and
mod a£live leaders of the corporation, and put them
in the mod comical poftures imaginable. Here was
to be feen a fellow capering and dancing in a gar-
den all full of weeds, and his inftruments lying be-
fide him, quite grown over with ruft. — Another
carrying a bafket over his arm, with a fign of a pine
apple in his hand, and a paflenger, on examining
the contents, finds nothing but (linking fifh, and
flops his nofe. — A great bloated fellow, fwelled like
a tun, challenging the whole country to run a race
with him. — Another hurrying away a girl into a cor-
ner, and covering her with his frock. — Thefe and
many others, he drew in fuch a manner, as clearly
to expofe their knavery and oflentation.
This picture was (luck up, in the night-time,
near a public road leading to a great town. As the
perfons were all very well known, it is not to be
imagined what entertainment it afforded to the peo-
ple. No body could look upon it without laughing;
and whenever any of the fervants, honoured with a
place in it, were feen upon the flreets, the boys
gathered about them in crowds, and, to tneir un-
fpeakable mortification, mimicked the poftures in
which they had been represented. Copies in mini-
ature were taken of this performance, and kept in
many families •, fo that, whenever the fervants were
in an ill humour, they would pull out the draught
and hold it in their eye.
The fury and refentment of the fervants, on the
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 335
publication of this piece, is not to be conceived.
The author had done it with much caution and Se-
crecy, that they could not get him legally convift-
ed. However, they either discovered, or at leait
thought they had discovered who he was, and employ-
ed themfelves night and day, in devifing methods of
revenge. Above all, that unlucky fellow, who had
been reprefented following the girl, was fo tran-
sported with rage, that he fcarce ever returned to
his right fenfes. He had been Something of a
draughtfman himfelf, fo he fet about making a pic-
ture in ridicule of the induftrious fervants •, but,
either the thing itfelS was fo difficult, or he proceed-
ed with fo much rage and trepidation, that it was a
perfect caricature, and his friends prevailed with
him to fupprefs it.
The poor author, in the mean time, was obriged
to be constantly upon his guard, as there was alw;
a fet of defperadoes lying in wait for him, armed
with clubs, and fully determined to beat his brains
out, if they could catch him in a proper place. In I
mean time, they all agreed in telling lies upon him
'out ceaSmg. They affirms J, that no body but a
complete rafoal could be capable oS Such a pcTfo:
ance ; that to betray Servants to their marten , ^
at any rate a malicious trick : but, that for a fen.
to laugh at his fellow fervants, and fet other people
a laughing at them too, was the cL
tion of a depraved heart. It was ten years after I
fact was committed, that my mcr left the
ntrv 'j and he declared that their r,
Ltcd in the leaft degree: a circumftance whi
1 obferved, had made a d aep impreffion upon ]
Ff z
336 THE HISTORY OF A
mind ; fo that he would often fay, From the fury
»f an enraged fervant, good Lord deliver me. He
alfo told me, that he was convinced by this exam-
ple, that wit and humour was a talent unfpeakably
prejudicial to the poffeflbr : and therefore, if ever
he had a child, and obferved in him the leaft turn
that way, he would apply himfelf with the utmofl
affickuty to eradicate it as a vice.
CHAP. IX.
TBe carelessness of Servants in their work.
A curious debate in a certain family, which
issued in nothing.
IT will eafily be perceived, from what lias been
laid above, that the greateft part cf the fervants
were excefiively negligent. They feemed to have
two great obje6ls conftantly in view, and to carry
them on hand in hand ; the increafe of their wages,
and the diminution of their labour. The truth is,
however flrange it may feem, thefe always bore an
exa£t proportion to one another. Whenever a fer-
vant got more wages fettled upon him, he looked
upon it as a confequence, that he fhculd be more floth-
ful than before. In the mean time, it was remark-
able what ingenious and plaufible reafonings they
alwaYs fell upon to juftify their conducl. On this
fubjeel particularly they would fay, What is well
done is foon done. A fmall piece of work, executed
as it ought to be, is better than marring a great
deal, which is worfe than idlenefs.
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 337
Inftead of any other general remarks, I (hall en-
tertain the reader with a curious example of their
ingenuity, in devifing excufes for their own neglect.
This happened in the family of a great man, about
three years after the publication of the ^enigmatical
picture, and plainly fhewed that, though the re-
proof had enraged them, it had contributed uothing
to reform them. One morning, almoft the whole
fervants of this family were gathered together in a
large hall, to confider what work it would be pro-
per for them to fall about that day. A fervant who,
indeed, was not very well looked upon, as inclin-
ing^ little to the fober mduflrious kind, complain-
ed, that there had been for a long time an intolera-
ble negligence in keeping the fences, and excluding
itraying or ftrange cattle from their mailers grounds.
He therefore propofed, that they fhould immediately
go in a body, drive out all the ftrange cattle, with-
out exception, that were in the inclofures, and mend
up the fences, which were now in fo forry a condi-
tion. He told them that there were many ftrange
cattle pafturing where they ought not to be \ parti-
cularly, that he himfelf, not an hour before, had
ieen a large bull, with a thick neck, and dull heavy-
eyes, but brpaljhi firm joint r, and a lank I
which made him fit for jumping. On this •.uiifpute
arofe, of which die reader may take the following
juft and faithful account.
One obferved, that he could not agree to the mo-
tion, which proceeded fro in a 1 no \\
maikuble for a good temper. " If our brother would
look a little mo. he
would find Lis feafQ " »
33^ THE HISTORY )F \
of the negligence of others. The propofal is unkind
and unbenevolent. There fhould be great forbear-
ance ufed in every family toward their neighbours.
No doubt there have been, and there will be trefpaffed
upon both fides •, and therefore, I am humbly of
opinion, that no notice fhould be taken of it at riL"
A fecond then rifes up, and fpeaks to the follow-
ing effedh " If I thought that any good would fol-
low upon what is now propofed, I fhould readily
agree to it. I am perhaps as much attached to my
matter's intereft, as the perfon who made this
motion, notwithstanding all his fine profeffions y
but I am perfuaded it would be altogether in vain.
There is a ftrange difpofition in beads of all kinds
to break into thofe places from which there is any
attempt to keep them out \ it would therefore only
increafe the evil it pretends to remedy. All perfe-
ction, we know, helps the caufe of thejperfecuted :
£o that fuppofing one has made an encroachment
at this time, if he were driven out, we may depend
upon it, he would immediately return with twenty
more at his heels."
A third made a veryYage and learned observation.
u Take notice, fays he, what you are about to do.
There is more difficulty in it than you apprehend.
Is there not a very great fimilarity in colour, fhape
and fize, between our matter's cattle and his neigh-
bour's ? It would oblige us to a very ftricl and par-
ticular examination, before we could determine the
point. Tins would create fuch difference of opi-
nion, fuch zeal and keennefs in every one to fup-
port his own fentiments, that we might fpend the
whole time cf our fcrvice before we could come to
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 339
any conclufion. I acknowledge it is a fixed princi-
ple, that every bead fhoukt be kept only on hio own
mailer's grounds ; but, I hope you will be fenfible,
it is only a fpeculative point which beaft belongs to
one mafter, and which to another. On this fubi
wife and good fervants have differed in all ages, and
will differ to the end of the world."
A fourth delivered the following opinion. M 1
cannot help being againfh the motion, for a re a foil
that nobody has yet taken notice of. I can allure
you from my certain knowledge, it would give great
pleafure to the ftrange cattle themfelves, and, in
particular to the bull, who feems to have given occa-
fion to the prefent debate. He has a vait fatisfac-
tion in being gazed upon and wondered at, which
would be the certain confequence of this attempt.
Befides, he is infected with an inveterate itch, which
gives him an infinite pleafure in being fcrubbed and
clawed by the thorns in the paiTage."
A fifth faid, u I am furpriied to fee fo much time
fpent upon this ridiculous -propofal. The author
of it feems to have forgot a fundamental law of the
corporation, that no fervant fhould mecldle with the
affairs of another fam.ily, or pretend to take the in-
fpe&ion or government of any beafts, but fuch
as belong to his own mafter. Now, fays he, this
is manifestly the cafe in the prefent inftance ; nay,
It is even implied in the propofal itfelf, which
therefore,' quite irregular and incompetent. If that
bull does not belong to us, let his own mafter U
for him when he pleafes : we have nothing to do
with him. Let us mind our own affairs."
'then rofc a fervant of ancient fhnding, fcverai
34^ THE HISTORY OF A
of liis teeth having been loft by old age, who bore
a particular mark of his mailer's favour. lie
remarkable for making long fpeeches, of which it
18 difficult to comprehend the meaning. After
ipeaking about half an hour, quite unintelligibly, he
concluded thus. " Brethren, I do not deny thr.t
fuch a propofal as this might have done very well
in former times,/when the fences werealmoft entire,
and the offending ftrangers very few ; but, at pre-
ient, it is quite romantic and impoflible. Will any
man ferioufly pretend, at this time of day, when the
hedges are almoft wholly broke down, and fo many
encroachments on every hand, to affirm, that none
ought to continue in the inclofures but fuch as truly
belong to our mafter ? I am afraid his fields would
make a very defolate appearance, for there would
be few left behind."
Lad of all, one tells them in a few words, that
the debate was altogether idle ; that there was a
miftake at the very bottom of the affair : for, by
the beft information he could procure, the bead iu
queftion was not a bull but an ox.
To fum up the matter, one or other of thefe vari-
ous and contradictory reafons prevailed upon a great
majority to come to this refolution, That it was
not prudent or expedient, at this time, to agree to
the propofal •, and, therefore*, the intruders in gene-
ral fhould be winked at, and that beaft in particular,
r he were bull or ox, fliould continue wh<
he was.
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 34 1
CHAR X.
$f the ambition and covetousness of the Set-
wants, and the various methods they jell
upon to gratify their desires.
I HAVE obferved before, that the conftitution in
this province was framed with great care, and
feemed particularly calculated to prevent ambition
and love of pre-eminence. For this reafon they ef-
tablifhed a parity among the fervants, and took
every meafure they could think of, to prevent the in-
troduction of overfeers and arch-overfeers. By
this time, however, the fervants had not only de-
generated in point of fidelity and diligence, but had
made great encroachments upon the conflitution it-
felf. They had a prodigious hankering after the
high-founding titles, and immenfe revenues, which
were given to fervants in the neighbouiirj: province.
It grieved them to hear, and fometimes, when fent
upon bufinefs to that country, to fee, that fome of
the overfeers, lived in fplendid palaces, and were
carried about in chariots, while thev themfelves
were ftill obliged to wear the drefs of fervants, and
generally to walk a -foot.
Gladly would they have introduced thefc offices
in their own province ; but the great men who had
hitherto affifted them, dreaded the expence,
would not agree to it. They were, thcr
liged to proceed cautioufly and gradually. In f<
34^ THE HISTORY OF A
few inftanceSj they made it appear, that one fen
might be introduced to two different families, and en-
joy both the falaries. As to the work, they might be
fometimes in the one and fometimes in the other*, or,
if one of them was a family of imall confequence, they
might do well enough without any fervant at all. They
begged, in "the mod abje£t manner, of the governor
of the province, that a fmall number of falaries
might be appointed without any office annexed to
Lhem, by way of gratuities, for the encouragement
of good fervants. This was done •, and there fol-
lowed a terrible competition for obtaining them,
which produced a mod malignant hatred between
thofe who were fuccefsful and thofe who were not.
The reader may perhaps imagine, that the hope
of meriting thofe falaries would excite them to vie
with one another, in doing the bufinefs of the fa-
milies where they ferved. It was quite the contrary.
They tried every method of advancement but that
only -y or, if any did try it in that way they were fure
to be disappointed. Some of them ufed the old way
of flattery, which had always a very great effect.
Some became political tools, fpies, and informers
to the prevailing party at court. Some were not
afhamed to become pimps and panders to great men,
and even fometimes to attend them in their noctur-
nal expeditions. Some endeavoured to make them-
felves remarkable for feats and achievements qui to
out of the way of their own buGnefs. One of
them, for example, would make a wind-mill, of
curious ftruclure, and put it upon the top of the
houfe where he lived. The confequence of this
was, that paffengers going that way, after {landing
ftill and admiring it a little, would afk any per(o»
CORPORATION OF SERVANT 34?
they Faw near, who had done it. The anfwer im-
mediately followed, Thefervant ewbo lives Bere, he is
a moji ingenious fe//civ<as ever <ivas fieri. Thus v
his fame fpread abroad, and iometimes came to the
ears of the people above.
I cannot help particularly mentioning one, who v.
the mod fuccefsf ul of all that had gone before him, who
was alive when my informer left the country^ and
probably may be alive at this very time. The method
he fell upon, was telling wonderful ftories of the he-
roic actions of that people's predeceffors, a fubject
of which they were enthufiaftically fond. He had
acquired a very great knack of ftory telling, and could
defcribe things fo to the life both by word and gef-
ture, that every body was delighted to hear him.
He immediately gave over all work in the family to
which he belonged ; and when they civilly put him
in mind of his negleft, he told them they might go
about their bufinefs, for ihey were a pack of fedi-
tious fcoundrels altogether below his notice. He
was a fellow of uncommon ability •, and no
remarkable for enterprife and refolution.
carried on his fchemes \ procured for himlelf one
falary after another ; and did not fail to laugh at
the fimplicity of thofe who bellowed them, faying
among his intimate companions, He blejjld (
mankind were fo eafily d- by tie formal
nonet of a frvant.
The fupernumerary falaries, however, wire {o
few, that they were foon exhaufted, and did li
elfe, indeed, than excite a hungerin thtrftmg
after more. To remedy this, they fell d
tbod of gratifying the vanity of thofe whole pockets
14 THE HISTORY OF A
they could not fill. A title was invented, which,
(like the honorary rewards of the ancients in this
part of *he world) they faid, would ferve to difiin-
guifh illufliious merit, and raife a happy emulation.
The title was, Mailer of Service ; and the directors
of the fchools or places of exercife were appointed to
beflow it, according to the {kill and proficiency of
the candidates. Immediately applications came in
from all quarters, and it was dealt about very liber-
ally, and, if poflible, even more abfurdly than the
falaries had been before. There was hardly an in-
ftance of its being bellowed for real knowledge or
ufeful induftry •, but for fome whimfical qualifica-
tion of a different kind. If a man had invented a
new dance or fong, or collected a whole barrel of
faked butter-flies in one fummer, or made a gold
chain for binding a flea to a poft, he was inftantly
treated a Mailer of Service.
CHAP. XL
tjfthe sentiments of the People concerning the
Servants, and their manner of treating
them.
THE reader may probably be wondering in
him -elf, how the people behaved in thefe cir-
cumftances, and what became of their affairs. He
mav be ready to think that their patience mufl be
by this time nearly exhaufled, and fome terrible re-
volution at hand. The truth is, the patience of
many of them had been at an end for many years \
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 345
but, being divided among themfelves, their influ-
ence was not iufficient to produce a general change.
It is impoflible to mention all the effects which the
condudt of the fervants had upon the people ; but
it will be worth while to take particular notice of
two claffes of men, and their behaviour upon the
fubjedt.
One fet of people rofe among them, whofe fenti-
ments and conduct were as fingular and extra-
ordinary, as any thing recorded in this book. They
were men who made high pretenfions to reafon and
penetration, and gave themfelves much to ab fir act
reflexions upon the nature of things. They were
of opinion, that all the wifdom of the nation centered
in themfelves ; and that all the reft were downright
fools or madmen. However, entering upon their
fpeculations with fuch an overweening conceit of
themfelves, their boafted reafons firi> led them into
many miftakes, and at lafl fairly turned their heads.
It was their cuftom to fearch into hiftory, and
particularly into the hiftory of the fervants. Ti.
they found, that in every age, there had been a
great deal of knavery among the fervants. All the
inftances of this fort they ufed to coll-jdt, publifh,
and compare with the conduct of the fcrvunts in
their own times ; which they cxpofed with the gi\
eft feverity. At laft, by long dwelling upon this
fubjedt, they came to be of opinion, that t!.
ought to be no fuch thing in nature as a fervant ;
that they never had done any thing but ban:
that the world would be much better without :L
Sometimes fober-minded people atu . to fet
them to rights, and alledged, tl dif-
VoL. VI. G g
346 THE HISTORY OF A
htitieft had always been too numerous as well as noify,
yet Rill there were fome of great worth and ufeful-
nefs : nay, th.it fociety, in the nature of things
could not fubfift without perfons in lower ftations,
to ferve and accommodate thofe in higher. v This
was fo far from having an efted upon them, that
they became always more pofitive upon contradic-
tion, and fcarce ever failed to advance opinions ftill
more wild and romantic than before. Inflead of
yielding that fervants were neceflary in fociety, they
affirmed, that it was not only defirable, but extreme-
ly poffible, to have a whole nation of lords, without
one perfon among them of inferior degree.
They affirmed, that excepting fervants, all other
men were by nature wife, honeft, and aftive ; fully
Sufficient for their own happinefs ; and that they
would have been quite virtuous and happy, without
Tiny exception, if they had not been blind-folded
:md deceived by the fervants. To this race, whom
they ufed often* in a fit of raving, to curfe in a m jit
dreadful manner, they imputed all the envy, malice,
oppreffion, covetovfnefs, fraud, rapine, and blood-
shed that ever had happened fince the beginning of
world. In fupport of their fcheme, they made
learned difquifitions on nature, and the firft caufe
of all things. They fhewed that nature was, and
mult be wife and good in all her productions \ and,
therefore, that man muft needs be free from every
thing that is evil, and his original conftitution per-
fectly juft and found. All the diforders that were
to be feen in fociety were eafily accounted for, from
the hellifh machinations of the fervants. — In the
mc?.n time, it was obvious, that the fervants were
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 347
the product of nature too ; and according to the fame
reafoning, mull have been of as gentle and tractable
difpofitions, and in all refpects as faultlefs as their
mafters. This manifeffc difficulty in their own fcheme,
however unaccountable it may appear, they never
once reflected upon, nor by confequence attempted
to refolvo.
Sometimes they were prefied with the necefiity
of fervants to cultivate the ground, which, it' n
glecled, it was plain, would grow over with br.
and thorns, and every noxious weed. Here they
immediately recurred to their old argument, the ex-
cellency of nature's productions \ and upon ii \
ftrength of it, prefumed abfolutely to deny the f
They faid, were the earth only left to itfelf, it would
produce nothing but what was ufcful and falut.
and that in great abundance, for the fupport of its
inhabitants \ that all the pretended cultivation of it
by the fervants was but fpoiling it ; and that they
ihemfelves had fowed the feeds of every hurtful of
unneceffary plant. It was to no purpofe to mention
to them, either the vaft tracts of uncultivated ground,
or the defolate condition of a neglected field ; all
this, they pretended, arofe from a certain fympathy
in the feveral parts of the earth one with another,
and from poifonous vapours eafily carried by
wind, from the places where fervants had bed!
work. In fhort, they fometimes projected a 111.
for a new fcttlement where no fer? mid be
mitted ; and where they hoped, in a little t;
every man would be as v a philofopher,
rich as a merchant, and as magnificent as a king.
After all, the perfection of tl
Gg2
3JS
3^3 TITE HISTORY OF A
peared in the following circumftance. Though it
was plain, to any perfon of reflexion, that their
delirium took its rife from the tricks and mifbehavi-
our of bad fervants, yet they had the mod rooted and
inveterate antipathy at thofe that were good. The
reafon, probably was, that the diligence and ufeful-
nefs of this laft fort flood dire£Uy in the way of their
fcheme, and prevented the reft of the nation from
being of their opinion. All feerhingly good fer-
vants they affirmed to be at bottom arrant knaves;
and in one refpeel:, unfpeakably worfe than any of
the reft, becaufe they appeared to be better. The
idle, flothful, worthlefs fervants, were frequently
their companions ; and it was one of their higheft
entertainments "to lead fuch fellows into frolicks,
mifchief, or debauchery, and then point them out
to their fellow citizens, and ufe words to this pur-
pofe, " You poor hood-winked fools, do you fee
thefe rafcals ? why will you any longer harbour
them in your houfes ? they are all of one com-
plexion, and will infallibly bring you to mifery and
fpeedy deftruclion.,,
CHAP. XII.
Continuation of the same subject. The senti-
ments and conduct of others, in consequence
(f the behaviour of the Servants.
w
E are not to fuppofe that the whole nation
loft their fenfes. No : by far the greater
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 349
number acted a, prudently and rationally as men
could do in 'their circumftances. According to
plain common fenfe, in proportion as corruption
and degeneracy increafed among the fervants, they
fet the higher value on fuch as were honed and
faithful. They ufed every mean in their power to
procure fuch for their own families, agreeably to the
laws of the corporation. When this could not b<?
brought about, or when a good-for-nothing-fellow
was buckled to the falary, they put themfelves to
the additional expence of hiring one according to
their own mind ; paid the former his wages duly,
and only defired the favour of him to give them no
trouble, but fpend his time according to his own
fancy.
It was pleafant enough to obferve the different
conduct of the eftablifhed fervants, according to
their different tempers, when they fell under this
predicament. Some of them were greatly*enraged
to fee the fervice of another preferred to theirs.
ufed many artful methods to prevent it where
they could, and took every opportunity of vent
their malice, or glutting their revenge when :
could not. Where they could <vet any body to be-
lieve them, they aiTerted that all lkill and power of
doing good was confined to the corporation ; that
it was inherent in them, and defcended in their
blood from one generation to another, like cour
in the race of game cocks. The others, thev |
tended, were a fpurious brood, and that it was im-
poflible to train them fo as to make them lit for ;
vice.
If this did not gain credit,
J 3
%$t THE HISTORY OF A
were taken to difparagc the conduct of the addi-
tional fervants. Their work was examined with the
greatefl. ftrict.nefs, every flaw in it pointed out, and
many faults imputed to it merely through envy. If
any piece of work appeared to be fubftantial, they
pretended it wanted neatnefs, and was altogether
inelegant. This charge, however, made little im-
preflion upon the people. They had been fo long
plagued with fervants who minded nothing but
ornament, both in their perfons and their work,
that they were rather pleafed than difgufted with
one of a more homely carriage.
When nothing el fe would do, the grofleft lies and
calumnies were fpread, both of the new fervants and
thofe who employed them. It was pretended, that
they fowed the feeds of fedition and difaffe&ion, in
the families where they got admittance. Sometimes
this accufation, though utterly groundlefs, obtained
fuch creSit with the governors, that, if they had a
Complaint to make, or a caufe to try, they could
fcarcely expect juftice. It was alfo alledged, that
they terrified the children out of their wits, by tell-
ing frightful ftories in the winter evenings. You
might meet with many of the eftablifhed fervants
who afferted, and even fcemed to believe, that allK
who employed any other than themfelves, were idi-
ots or crack-brained, and deftitute of common fenfe.
On the other hand, not a few of the eftablifhed
pants were altogether indifferent Jiow many
others were hired, and how little work was left to
themfelves. They knew that their wages were well
fecured to them, which was the main chance ; and
shey found rather more time and liberty to follow
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 355
the bent of their inclinations. Perhaps they would
have been better fatisfied if the people had been
content with what kind and quality of work they
thought proper to do. But as this was not to be ex-
pected, the hiring of others rendered all matters
perfectly eafy, and their lives were one continued
fcene of indolence or pleafure.
In the mean time, it was highly diverting to hear
how they exprefied themfelves upon this fubjecr, and
with how much art and cunning they made a virtue
of necefiity. They ufed to extol their own camlrur
and benevolence. " Gentlemen," one of them would
fay, " you fee with what difcretion I ufe you. I
am always glad to fee liberty prevail, and every man
fuffered to do what feem»s proper to himfelf. I am
well pteafed, that you fhould hire as many fervants
as you incline. I a(k no more, than that I may have
a clean neat bed-chamber, in a convenient part of
the houfe, my wages well and regularly paid, and a
fmall bit of ground in the garden, to bring up a t
delicious herbs and fruits for my own ufe. If tl
things are properly attended to, you (hall find m
good man to live with ; I (hall never interfere with
your work in the lead, or give you any ma;
trouble, even by making remarks upon it." In fuch
a cafe, it would happen now and then, that 1
of the family, touched a little with the abfurdity of
this phlegmatic fpeech, would anfwer.
well, he might make himfelf eafy, Gnce all the while,
he was well fed and clothed at their expei his
he would receive with filent contempt, and dif]
the greatelt fatisfa&ion in his own compofure of :
rit, and meeknefs of temper.
352 THE HISTORY OF A
As for the remaining part of the nation, they re-
flected very little upon their condition, but took fuch
fervants as were fent to them, and rubbed on as well
as they could. Such quiet and paflive people were
highly extolled by the fervants, who took all oppor-
tunities of declaring, that they were the only folid
and rational perfons in the whole kingdom. Thefe
praifes delighted them greatly * fo that they lived as
poor and as merry as beggars, who have nothing to
hope, and nothing to fear.
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS. 3c <
CONCLUSION.
THUS I have given the reader an account of
this extraordinary clafs of men ; and, I am
certain, he mud confefs, there is fomething in t.
characters and condudt, proper to excite a mixture
of laughter and indignation. It is alfo probable,
that he feels a confiderable degree of fymp.
with the deluded and opprefied people, and i
ous to know whether there appeared any prolpecr, of
deliverance, This was a cjpeftion I often afked at
my informer, who affured me that, from what he
had heard and feen, there was not the moft dill
profpe£t of reformation by the fer
The honefler fort were always borne down, tra-
duced and flandered ; and thofe of an oppofite cha-
racter, had fo long kept the management of the cor-
poration in their hands, that they reckoned them-
felves fecure in their authority, and openly lot at
defiance both the people in general, and their lei.
low-fervants.
There remained jufl a glimpfe of hope from one
quarter, viz. the gentlemen who bad been ch<
to the office of helpers. They had at full
buted as much as any to the lot wrong
mcafures; but, not being under the ( <*
354 THE HISTORY, feV.
intereftj they began to open their eyes at lart. For
fome years they had been a confiderable reitraint
upon the violence of the fervants, and had prevent-
ed them in feveral inftances from degrading, (trip-
ping, and branding thofe who had incurred their
difpleafure, by doing bufinefs at unfeafonable hour>.
They had alfo contributed to the difgracc and dii-
mifiion of fome drunken fots, and lafcivious wretches,
whom feveral of the leading fervants had a ftrong
inclination to fpare. From thefe circumftances,
fome flattered themfelves that a change might be
brought about ; and that, though the fervants would
never think of any reformation themfelves, it would
foon befjreed upon them by a foreign hand.
After all, it was but very uncertain whether any
material change would foon take place •, and there-
fore, while we can only fend that unhappy people
our good wifhes, we have reafon to rejoice in our
own good fortune, that we are perfectly free from
impofitions of the fame or any fimilar kind.
END OF VOLUME SIXTH,
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